Photoactive Nanostructures from Photosynthetic Microorganisms and pi-Conjugated Molecules

The Reaction Centers (RCs) of photosynthetic organisms are efficient billion-of-years optimized photoenzimes for conversion of absorbed light into charge separated states. Combining RCs with tailored ?-conjugated molecules is an intriguing approach to a new generation of versatile functional bio-nanomaterials for application ranging from photoconversion to photocatalysis and sensing. We present here the design and synthesis of hybrid bio-organic photosynthetic complexes by combination of the Reaction Center (RC) of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides R26 with tailored molecular semiconductors. The organic molecules can act as antennas to extend the light harvesting capability of the RC, thus enhancing its photoconversion performances [1] and also accelerating charge transfer processes to external electron acceptors. We also demonstrate that such hybrid architectures can be incorporated in the functional membrane of tailored polymersomes, still maintaining their full functionality, or even be anchored on electrode surfaces. References [1] F. Milano, R.R. Tangorra, O. Hassan Omar, R. Ragni, A. Operamolla, A. Agostiano, G.M. Farinola, M. Trotta Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 51, 11019 (2012)