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Bioinspired hollow semiconductor nanospheres as photosynthetic nanoparticles

Author

Listed:
  • Jianhua Sun

    (Research Institute of Photocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University)

  • Jinshui Zhang

    (Research Institute of Photocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University)

  • Mingwen Zhang

    (Research Institute of Photocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University)

  • Markus Antonietti

    (Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • Xianzhi Fu

    (Research Institute of Photocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University)

  • Xinchen Wang

    (Research Institute of Photocatalysis, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory Breeding Base, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Fuzhou University)

Abstract

Natural photosynthesis occurs in the thylakoid membrane where functional proteins and electron carriers are precisely arranged to efficiently convert sunlight into a chemical potential between the two membrane sides, via charge separation and electron transport chains, for use in oxygen generation and CO2 fixation. These light-harvesting complexes and cofactors have been actively mimicked using dyes, semiconductors and catalytic nanoparticles. However, the photosynthetic scaffold that optimizes both the capture and distribution of light and separates both the oxidative and reductive species has been mimicked much less often, especially using polymer substances. Here we report the synthesis of hollow nanospheres sized in the optical range and made of a robust semiconductor, melon or carbon-nitride polymer. These hollow nanospheres are shown to function as both light-harvesting antennae and nanostructured scaffolds that improve photoredox catalysis, which was determined to have a 7.5% apparent quantum yield via a hydrogen-generation assay.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianhua Sun & Jinshui Zhang & Mingwen Zhang & Markus Antonietti & Xianzhi Fu & Xinchen Wang, 2012. "Bioinspired hollow semiconductor nanospheres as photosynthetic nanoparticles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-7, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2152
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2152
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    1. Lukas Grote & Martin Seyrich & Ralph Döhrmann & Sani Y. Harouna-Mayer & Federica Mancini & Emilis Kaziukenas & Irene Fernandez-Cuesta & Cecilia A. Zito & Olga Vasylieva & Felix Wittwer & Michal Odstrč, 2022. "Imaging Cu2O nanocube hollowing in solution by quantitative in situ X-ray ptychography," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Tae Yeon Kim & Jee Won Mok & Sang Hoon Hong & Sang Hoon Jeong & Hyunsik Choi & Sangbaie Shin & Choun-Ki Joo & Sei Kwang Hahn, 2022. "Wireless theranostic smart contact lens for monitoring and control of intraocular pressure in glaucoma," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Kuang, Yongqi & Li, Hao, 2021. "Targeted engineering of metal@hollow carbon spheres as nanoreactors for biomass hydrodeoxygenation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    4. Wu, Jiacong & Li, Chunmei & Dong, Hongjun & Zhang, Haibo & Han, Juan & Wang, Lei & Yu, Siyu & Wang, Yun, 2020. "Doping effect of metalloid group in graphitic carbon nitride molecular structure for significantly improved photocatalytic hydrogen production and photoelectric performance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 660-669.

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