Photochemical energy conversion by membrane-bound photoredox systems. Final report (open access)

Photochemical energy conversion by membrane-bound photoredox systems. Final report

This project has received DOE support since July 1, 1978. During this period, 40 papers have been published dealing predominantly with chlorophyll-photosensitized electron transfer reactions in a variety of media (solutions, polymer films, lipid bilayer membranes). The overall theme of this work has been to develop mechanistic strategies f or photochemical energy storage via chlorophyll, using the green plant photosynthetic system as a paradigm for designing in vitro systems. Microheterogeneous lipid vesicle suspensions allow ready application of time-resolved optical spectroscopy to follow the course of light-induced electron transfer processes. Both the yields and the lifetimes of electron transfer products were markedly improved in the vesicle systems. In subsequent studies, this compartmentalization was favorably manipulated by controlling the electrical charge on the membrane surface, by controlling the solubility properties of the acceptors, by varying the lipid composition, by using mediators to create a concentration gradient to carry electrons from within the bilayer to the aqueous medium, and by incorporating secondary electron acceptors into the aqueous phase.
Date: June 16, 1994
Creator: Tollin, Gordon
System: The UNT Digital Library