Gold Nanoparticle Interaction in Algae Enhancing Quantum Efficiency and Power Generation in Microphotosynthetic Power Cells

Abstract

The necessity for sustainable energy production has driven the rapid development of technologies to harness solar energy effectively. The microphotosynthetic power cells (μPSC) aim to harness solar energy from living photosynthetic cells. Currently, the power density of the μPSC is low, due to several factors. One of the major impediments and challenges of the μPSC is its lower charge transfer efficiency between the photosynthetic microorganisms and the electrodes. Herein, the proposed strategy explores the interaction of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with photosynthetic microorganisms for enhanced power generation from the μPSC. Herein, the intracellular biocompatible, efficient light absorbers in the form of Au NPs are introduced. Translocation of gold colloidal solution of 25 μL of 50 μg mL−1 (253.8 μmol mL−1) concentration into 2 mL whole liquid culture of algal cells (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: ≈1 million cells mL−1) enhances operational quantum yield (ϕ0) of the algal cells by 30.2% and power generation capability by 15.2% in μPSCs. Internalized Au NPs in the algal cells quench chlorophyll fluorescence, thereby contributing to increased photosynthetic efficiency. With multiple advantages such as light absorption capability, biocompatibility, and ability to transfer the electrons, Au NPs can efficiently harvest sunlight for enhanced power generation from the μPSC.

Simple, Economical Methods for the Culture of Green Algae for Energy Harvesting from Photosynthesis in a Microfluidic Environment

“…For more details on the fabrication of the μPSC, readers are directed to Kuruvinashetti et al. (2021) and Shahparnia et al. (2015).…”

“…Bioelectrochemical systems include a wide range of innovative technologies used to generate electricity from catabolic microbes and photosynthetic microorganisms (Kuruvinashetti et al., 2021; Logan, 2008; McCormick et al., 2011; Mink, Qaisi, Logan, & Hussain, 2014; Saar et al., 2018; Tanneru et al., 2019b; Velasquez‐Orta, Curtis, & Logan, 2009). The microbial fuel cell is a relatively mature technology in which various catabolic microbes are used to generate electricity from their metabolic activities (Logan, 2010; Logan et al., 2006).…”

“…With optimal design and arraying, μPSCs can be used to power low‐power devices such as mobile batteries, iPads, and various small electronic devices (Tanneru, Kuruvinashetti, Pillay, Rengaswamy, & Packirisamy, 2019a), as well as ultra‐low‐power applications such as "Internet of Things" (IoT) sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors (Tanneru et al., 2019a). They could also provide a reliable and green solution for related applications, including global positioning system (GPS) systems and ultrasonic sensors (Kuruvinashetti et al., 2020; Kuruvinashetti et al., 2021; Tanneru, Kuruvinashetti, Pillay, Rengaswamy, & Packirisamy, 2019b). μPSCs in array formats could even power autonomous vehicles, self‐driving cars, and complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) sensors in the automotive sectors.…”

“…The light‐harvesting complexes of C. reinhardtii absorb enhanced light compared to the dyes in dye‐sensitized solar cells (Ortiz‐Torres et al., 2020). For more details on the significant milestones in the development of μPSCs, readers are referred to our previous publications (Kuruvinashetti et al., 2021; Tanneru et al., 2019b).…”

“…The microbial fuel cell is a relatively mature technology in which various catabolic microbes are used to generate electricity from their metabolic activities (Logan, 2010; Logan et al., 2006). In contrast, μPSCs function by photosynthesis, utilizing photosynthetic microorganisms and whole cells, along with photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll found in thylakoid membranes, to generate electricity by siphoning the electrons produced in both photosynthesis and respiration processes (Kuruvinashetti et al., 2020; Kuruvinashetti et al., 2021; McCormick et al., 2015b; Saar et al., 2018; Tanneru et al., 2019a).…”