Mimicking Nature: A Novel Peptide‐based Bio‐inspired Approach for Solar Energy Conversion

Abstract

A bioinspired approach is applied to photoelectric conversion devices. A 3(10)-helical hexapeptide bearing a pyrene unit is immobilized on a gold-covered TiO2 surface. The device is integrated for the first time in a dye-sensitized solar cell, exhibiting stability after several measurements. The approach could have promising applications in the field of optoelectronics.

Ryoji‐Noyori‐Preis: B. M. Trost / F. A. Cotton Medal: B. M. Hoffman / Max‐Bergmann‐Medaille: C. Toniolo / Preise des Royal Australian Chemical Institute: M. Kelso, C. Jones, S. Perrier, M. J. Crossley und D. W. Lupton / International Solvay Chair für Chemie 2013–2014; Prelog‐Medaille und ‐Vortrag: E. W. Meijer / Linus Pauling Medal: C. A. Mirkin

“…Zu seinen Forschungsthemen zählen die Charakterisierung von Peptidhelices und deren Anwendung sowie helicale Peptaibiotika. In ChemPhysChem erschien von ihm eine Arbeit über einen peptidbasierten Zugang zur Umwandlung von Sonnenenergie 3. Toniolo gehört den Editorial oder Advisory Boards von ChemBioChem , Chemistry—A European Journal und ChemistryOpen an…”

The several facets of Trichogin GA IV: High affinity Tb(III) binding properties. A spectroscopic and molecular dynamics simulation study

“…Due to the geminal character of the double methyl substitution on the C α ‐atom, positive and negative values of the backbone torsional angles share the same probability, resulting in Aib homo‐peptides with isoenergetic left‐ and right‐handed helices. Oligopeptides rich in Aib residues preferentially attain a 3 10 ‐helix conformation, while in longer peptides Aib residues promote formation of α‐helical structures …”

Symmetry of Bioinspired Short Peptide Nanostructures and Their Basic Physical Properties

“…[3] Bioinspired short peptide nanostructures display exceptional physical properties, such as high rigidity, [9] piezoelectric and nonlinear optical effects, [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and visible fluorescence. [17,18] In addition, bioinspired peptide nanostructures are used in diverse applications, such as solar energy conversion, [19] drug delivery, [20] ultra-capacitors, [21] and linear and nonlinear optical waveguides. [16,22,23] Basic physical properties that are observed in various bioinspired peptide nanostructures are directly derived from their nano-crystalline packing.…”