Learning from Solar Energy Conversion: Biointerfaces for Artificial Photosynthesis and Biological Modulation

Abstract

Three seemingly distinct directions of nanomaterials research, photovoltaics, biofuel production, and biological modulation, have been sequentially developed over the past several decades. In this Mini Review, we discuss how the insights gleaned from nanomaterials-based solar energy conversion can be adapted to biointerface designs. Because of their size-and shape-dependent optical properties and excellent synthetic control, nanomaterials have shown unique technological advantages as the light absorbers or energy transducers. Biocompatible nanomaterials have also been incorporated into biological systems including biomolecules, bacteria, and eukaryotic cells for a large collection of fundamental studies and applications. For the photocatalytic biofuel production, either isolated bacterial enzymes or the entire bacteria have been hybridized with the nanomaterials, where functions from both parts are synergistically integrated. Likewise, interfacing nanomaterials with eukaryotic systems, whether in individual cells or tissues, has enabled optical modulation of cellular behavior and the construction of active cellular materials.Here we survey different approaches in which nanomaterials are used to elicit electrical or mechanical changes in single cells or cellular assemblies via photoelectrochemical or photothermal processes. We end this Mini Review with the discussion of future nongenetic modulation at the intracellular level.

Semi-biological approaches to solar-to-chemical conversion

“…278 At a subcellular scale, Au nanoclusters or molecular dyes have been exploited to intervene pathways within cells with light irradiation as bioorthogonal opportunities for intracellular modulation. 231,236,279 Furthermore, the intracellular metabolism can be coupled with extracellular redox transformations to manufacture functional materials such as polymers and inorganic particles. [280][281][282] These materials may provide additional benefits to promote extracellular electron transfer or cytoprotection.…”

Biomimicking Hydrogen-Bonding Network by Ammoniated and Hydrated Manganese (II) Phosphate for Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation

“…In addition to water molecules, there are many amino acid residues around the CaMn4O5 cluster 16,[32][33][34] . Water molecules and these amino acid residues are connected to the CaMn4O5 cluster by hydrogen bonds, which can not only stabilize the structure of the CaMn4O5 cluster, but also play an important role in OER process 35 . Bonded water molecules can provide initial reactants, facilitating rapid reactions 36 .…”

“…Bonded water molecules can provide initial reactants, facilitating rapid reactions 36 . The surrounding amino acid residues facilitate the transfer of protons and electrons in the OER process and speed up the reaction rate 35 . Besides the four water molecules those are closely linked to the CaMn4O5 cluster, it has been found that there are more than 1300 water molecules in a single PSII monomer 37,38 .…”

Tm3+/Cr3+ Codoped Dual‐Phase Transparent Glass‐Ceramics for Light Conversion in Photosynthesis

“…[ 1,2 ] Therefore, improving the sunlight absorption efficiency of photosynthetic pigment is an efficient pathway to accelerate the growth and increase the production yield of crops. [ 3–5 ] To solve the problem, light conversion materials, which convert the useless sunlight into the blue–violet and red region, have attracted great attention in green agriculture recently. [ 6–8 ] Compared with the traditional methods such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides, using light conversion materials can reduce or even eliminate the detrimental pollution to the farmland soil and environment.…”