We demonstrate herein a newly developed photoelectrochemical immunosensor for the determination of anti-cholera toxin antibody by using a photosensitive biotinylated polypyrrole film. The latter was generated by electro-oxidation of a biotinylated tris(bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) complex bearing pyrrole groups. The photoexcitation of this modified electrode potentiostated at 0.5 V vs SCE, in the presence of an oxidative quencher, pentaaminechloro cobalt(III) chloride (15 mM), led to a cathodic photocurrent. As a result of the affinity interactions, a layer of biotinylated cholera toxin was firmly bound to the functionalized polypyrrole film via avidin bridges. The resulting modified electrodes were tested as immunosensors for the detection of the corresponding antibody from 0 to 200 microg mL(-)(1). The antibody concentration was measured through the decrease in photocurrent intensity resulting from its specific binding onto the polymeric coating, the detection limit being 0.5 microg mL(-)(1).

Photosensitizers used in homogeneous photocatalytic systems for artificial photosynthesis, such as hydrogen production, are typically based on expensive transition metal complexes such as d 6 ruthenium(II) or iridium(III). In this work, we demonstrate efficient H 2 production in acidic water by using an organic dye derived from the triazatriangulenium (TATA + ) family as a visible-light-absorbing photosensitizer (PS). By associat ing the hydrosoluble t ris(ethoxyet hanol)triazatriangulenium with an efficient H 2 -evolving cobalt catalyst and ascorbic acid as sacrificial electron donor (SD), remarkable photocatalytic performances were reached in aqueous solution at pH 4.5, under visible-light irradiation, with up to 8950 catalytic cycles versus catalyst. The performances of this dye largely exceed those of the benchmark Ru tris-bipyridine in the same experimental conditions when low concentrations of catalyst are used. This higher efficiency has been clearly ascribed to the remarkable robustness of the reduced form of the organic dye, TATA • . Indeed, the combination of the planar structure of TATA + together with the presence of the three electron-donating nitrogen atoms promotes the stabilization of TATA • by delocalization of the radical, thereby preventing its degradation in the course of photocatalysis. By contrast, the reduced form of the Ru photosensitizer, [Ru II (bpy) 2 (bpy •− )] + ("Ru − "), is much less stable. Nanosecond transient absorption experiments confirm the formation of TATA • in the course of the photocatalytic process in accordance with the mechanism initiated by the reductive quenching of the singlet excited state of TATA + by ascorbate. The second electron transfer from TATA • to the catalyst has also been evidenced by this technique with the detection of the signature of the reduced Co(I) form of the catalyst. The present study establishes that certain organic dyes are to be considered as relevant alternatives to expensive metal-based PSs insofar as they can exhibit a high stability under prolonged irradiation, even in acidic water, thereby providing valuable insights for the development of robust molecular systems only based on earth-abundant elements for solar fuel generation.