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The Photovoltaic Effect of CdS Quantum Dots Synthesized in Inverse Micelles and R-Phycoerythrin Tunnel Cavities

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Abstract

CdS quantum dots (CdS QDs) 4.3 nm in diameter synthesized in an AOT/isooctane/water microemulsion and in R-phycoerythrin tunnel cavities (3.5 × 6.0 nm) were analyzed for photoelectrochemical properties. The CdS QDs preparations were applied onto a platinum electrode to obtain solid films. Experiments were performed in a two-section vessel, with one section filled with ethanol and the other, with 3 M KCl. The sections were connected through an agar stopper. It was found that illumination of the films resulted in a change of the electrode potential. The magnitude of this change and the kinetics of the appearance and disappearance of the photopotential, i.e., the difference between the electrode potential on the light and in dark, depended on the nature of the QD shell. The photovoltaic effect of CdS QDs in R-phycoerythrin, compared to that of CdS QDs in AOT/isooctane micelles, is three to four times greater due to the photosensitizing action of R-phycoerythrin. The photosensitized effect was markedly higher than the photoelectric sensitivity of R-phycoerythrin and had the opposite polarity. Changes in the potential upon turning the light on and off could be observed repeatedly.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant no. 14-04-01530-a) and the Program “Molecular and Cell Biology” of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Structural Biochemistry of Proteins, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect 33, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    Olga D. Bekasova, Ekaterina S. Kornienko & Boris I. Kurganov

  2. Laboratory of Electronic and Photonic Processes in Polymeric Nanomaterials, Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky prospect 31, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    Alexandra A. Revina

Authors
  1. Olga D. Bekasova
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  2. Alexandra A. Revina
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  3. Ekaterina S. Kornienko
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  4. Boris I. Kurganov
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Correspondence to Olga D. Bekasova.

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Bekasova, O.D., Revina, A.A., Kornienko, E.S. et al. The Photovoltaic Effect of CdS Quantum Dots Synthesized in Inverse Micelles and R-Phycoerythrin Tunnel Cavities. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 176, 1141–1150 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-015-1635-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-015-1635-x

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