Solar Heat‐Enhanced Energy Conversion in Devices Based on Photosynthetic Membranes and PEDOT:PSS‐Nanocellulose Electrodes

Abstract

convert solar energy into electricity by leveraging the complex process of photosynthesis, useful both as energy generators and sensors for various physical inputs. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] With accelerating climate change and growing demand for energy, such bio-based methods have been identified as a promising route toward "green" energy. [10] Thylakoid membranes (TMs), the compartments inside chloroplasts, algae, and cyanobacteria in which the light-dependent reactions of the photosynthetic energy conversion are initiated, constitute an interesting model system for biohybrid light-harvesting. Indeed, broad-spectrum light absorption, efficient water splitting, a near-unity light-to-charge conversion efficiency, optimized excitation energy and electron transport, photo damage protection, and self-organization and selfrepair, all being properties of TMs, are strongly desired attributes of future intelligent solar energy harvesting technology. However, integration of TMs and isolated photoprotein complexes with technology poses several challenges, including complex preparation, poor stability, and limited photocurrents. [11][12][13] To address these challenges, promising and novel biohybrid devices and electrodes have been demonstrated by wiring/coupling TMs to electrodes via oligoelectrolytes, [14] carbon nanotubes, [15] conducting polymers, [16] Energy harvesting from photosynthetic membranes, proteins, or bacteria through bio-photovoltaic or bio-electrochemical approaches has been proposed as a new route to clean energy. A major shortcoming of these and solar cell technologies is the underutilization of solar irradiation wavelengths in the IR region, especially those in the far IR region. Here, a biohybrid energyharvesting device is demonstrated that exploits IR radiation, via convection and thermoelectric effects, to improve the resulting energy conversion performance. A composite of nanocellulose and the conducting polymer system poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is used as the anode in biohybrid cells that includes thylakoid membranes (TMs) and redox mediators (RMs) in solution. By irradiating the conducting polymer electrode by an IR light-emitting diode, a sixfold enhancement in the harvested bio-photovoltaic power is achieved, without compromising stability of operation.Investigation of the output currents reveals that IR irradiation generates convective heat transfer in the electrolyte bulk, which enhances the redox reactions of RMs at the anode by suppressing diffusion limitations. In addition, a fast-transient thermoelectric component, originating from the PEDOT:PSSnanocellulose-electrolyte interphase, further increases the bio-photocurrent. These results pave the way for the development of energy-harvesting biohybrids that make use of heat, via IR absorption, to enhance energy conversion efficiency.

Electrodes Based on PEDOT Nanotubes Decorated with Gold Nanoparticles for Biosensing and Energy Storage

“…The high electroactive area of PEDOT-NTs and all the advantages gained by the electrodeposition of AuNPs, such as durability, conductivity, and high superficial area, among others, make this modified electrode a perfect choice for the development of supercapacitors, as both capacitive and faradaic currents are enhanced in the presence of AuNPs. To verify the pseudocapacitance properties of the modified electrodes, the electrolyte was changed to 1 mol L –1 Na 2 SO 4 , which is more common for this type of device. , The electrochemical characterization is shown in Figure .…”

“…To verify the pseudocapacitance properties of the modified electrodes, the electrolyte was changed to 1 mol L −1 Na 2 SO 4 , which is more common for this type of device. 59,60 The electrochemical characterization is shown in Figure 6.…”

3D Printing of Thylakoid-PEDOT:PSS Composite Electrode for Bio-Photoelectrochemical Cells

“…Because of its photoreactivity, PEDOT:PSS is known to generate photocurrents in response to photon absorption . Recently, several research efforts using PEDOT:PSS in photosynthetic energy conversion has been reported including multilayered PEDOT:PSS-PSI films and PEDOT:PSS-modified PEC cells. , Since the PEDOT:PSS in such hybrid BPEC cells also absorbs photons in a broad wavelength range and produces electricity, , use of PEDOT:PSS as a PE conducting material can enhance the overall performance of BPEC systems . In fact, in this study, a fair portion of photocurrents obtained by our 3D printed TM/PEDOT:PSS BPEC system also originated from PEDOT:PSS energy conversion.…”

Advances of RRAM Devices: Resistive Switching Mechanisms, Materials and Bionic Synaptic Application

“…In general, organic materials and inorganic materials are two main categories of RS medium, as illustrated in Figure 6. Research of RS medium based on organic materials mainly focuses on biological materials (silk protein/fibroin, nanocellulose and albumen) [65][66][67], polymer materials (PVK (polyvinyl carbazole), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), PDA (Polydiacetylene), PTH (polythiophene)) [68][69][70][71], and other materials. Chen et al presented an RRAM device fabricated with spin-coated chicken egg albumen layer [67].…”