What Can We Learn from Protein-Based Electron Transport Junctions?

Pecht, Israel; Sheves, Mordechai

doi:10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c02446

Cited by 28 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Very importantly, this study showed that a temperature-independent current does not necessarily imply a coherent tunneling mechanism, nor does it exclude a hopping mechanism. Nevertheless, this issue is currently still highly controversial [43]. In fact, coherent tunneling has been put forward in many studies concerning transport through azurins.…”

Section: Interpretation Of Experimental Results By Phenomenological M...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances in Understanding the Electron Transport Through Metal-Azurin-Metal Junctions

et al. 2022

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Azurin proteins are the workhorse of protein electronics. This is a branch of biomolecular electronics, a recent research field which investigates electronics based on biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, amino acids, bacterial nanowires or DNA. In general, the possibility of including biosystems in solid-state junctions has opened the way to the development of novel electrical devices, and proteins have attracted enormous attention thanks to their many interesting properties. In the particular case of metal-azurin-metal junctions, experimental measurements have revealed extremely efficient electron transport over large distances, showing conductance values which are higher than certain conjugated molecules of similar lengths. Moreover, the electrical current has often been found to be temperature-independent, which has been used as an evidence of coherent transport or quantum tunneling. Interesting effects have been observed, moreover, upon insertion of single amino-acid mutations. In spite of a huge amount of work, the exact mechanism for the charge flow through these systems is still under debate. In this review, we will revise the recent advances made in the electron-transport measurements of azurin-based junctions as well as the corresponding theoretical modelling. We will discuss the interpretation of the currently-available experimental results as well as the open issues which still remain to be clarified.

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Section: Interpretation Of Experimental Results By Phenomenological M...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances in Understanding the Electron Transport Through Metal-Azurin-Metal Junctions

et al. 2022

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“…While the known semiconductors are mostly inorganic or organic, current results hint toward a research opportunity for protein-based semiconductor devices. With the advancement in biotechnology, the large-scale production of proteins is quite a feasible option [17][18][19][20] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water vapor fuelled brine-silk cocoon protein bio-battery for a self-lighting kettle and water-vapor panels

Jangir

Das

2022

Preprint

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Water vapor increases the electrical conductivity of silk cocoons, human hair, jute, and corn silk. This phenomenon is unclear. In the present study, XPS analysis of cocoons showed that water vapor reduces the surface presence of low-energy carbon species (C-C, C-H). In contrast, electron-dense, high-energy carbon species (C-N, C = C, C = O) remained unchanged, possibly enhancing surface charge hopping. While water vapor improves the conduction, the deficiency of charge carrier diminishes the effect. We increase the charge carrier by soaking the cocoon in an aqueous solution of common salt (NaCl) to amplify the current. Salt treatment followed by two-minute exposure to water vapor results in a sharp upward spike in the current (3.6 ± 1.07 mA, n = 12; mean ± SE) from the baseline (0.06 ± 0.02 mA, n = 12). After one hour, it maintains an average value of 0.39 ± 0.12, n = 12) ampere, indicating an upward shift in the baseline. Every time the cocoon charges with water vapor, the next charging cycle initiates after the cocoon dries up. Inspired by the cocoon ecology, we demonstrate an alternating 'water vapor- dry air' cycle for rapid charging and discharging of the cocoon battery. Finally, we designed a prototype of a self-lighting kettle and water-vapor panels for futuristic homes using a 'brine-silk cocoon protein bio-battery,' where moist waste heat generates electricity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Designing water vapor fuelled brine-silk cocoon protein bio-battery for a self-lighting kettle and water-vapor panels

Jangir

Das

2022

Sci Rep

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Water vapor increases the electrical conductivity of silk cocoons, human hair, jute, and corn silk. This phenomenon is unclear. In the present study, XPS analysis of cocoons showed that water vapor reduces the surface presence of low-energy carbon species (C–C, C–H). In contrast, electron-dense, high-energy carbon species (C–N, C=C, C=O) remained unchanged, possibly enhancing surface charge hopping. While water vapor improves the conduction, the deficiency of charge carrier diminishes the effect. We increase the charge carrier by soaking the cocoon in an aqueous solution of common salt (NaCl) to amplify the current. Salt treatment followed by 2-min exposure to water vapor results in a sharp upward spike in the current (3.6 ± 1.07 mA, n = 12; mean ± SE) from the baseline (0.06 ± 0.02 mA, n = 12). After 1 h, it maintains an average value of 0.39 ± 0.12 mA; n = 12, indicating an upward shift in the baseline. Every time the cocoon charges with water vapor, the next charging cycle initiates after the cocoon dries up. Inspired by the cocoon ecology, we demonstrate an alternating 'water vapor–dry air' cycle for rapid charging and discharging of the cocoon battery. Finally, we designed a prototype of a self-lighting kettle and water–vapor panels for futuristic homes using a 'brine-silk cocoon protein bio-battery,' where moist waste heat generates electricity.

show abstract

What Can We Learn from Protein-Based Electron Transport Junctions?

Cited by 28 publications

References 50 publications

Recent Advances in Understanding the Electron Transport Through Metal-Azurin-Metal Junctions

Recent Advances in Understanding the Electron Transport Through Metal-Azurin-Metal Junctions

Water vapor fuelled brine-silk cocoon protein bio-battery for a self-lighting kettle and water-vapor panels

Designing water vapor fuelled brine-silk cocoon protein bio-battery for a self-lighting kettle and water-vapor panels

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