Title: Development of chlorophyll-protein complex nanoparticles for light harvesting and solar cell application

Authors: Aneesha Kondapi; Golla Kishore; Farhan Ahmed; Anand K. Kondapi

Addresses: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shamirpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy Dist, Secunderabad, 500078, India ' Department of Biotech and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, India ' Department of Biotech and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, India ' Department of Biotech and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, India

Abstract: Principal components of photosystem involves light reception in plants are chlorophyll protein complexes. In the present study, we have employed chlorophyll protein complexes nanoparticles for photoreception with an aim to assess the excitation like behaviour of these complexes when used in nanoparticle form for the development of photovoltaic devices. As a result of photon interaction with chlorophyll protein complexes initiate electron emission thus convert it into electron deficient centre. Consequently these electrons are transferred to electronic sink 'fullerene nanoparticle', makes it electron efficient, thus providing a natural photocell comprising electron deficient chlorophyll protein complexes nanoparticles as positive electrode and electron efficient fullerene as negative electrode. A comparative analysis of results for different plant species showed significant potential difference in such natural photocells developed with nanoparticles of chlorophyll protein complexes.

Keywords: solar cells; chlorophyll protein complexes; fullerene nanoparticles; photosynthesis; light harvesting; nanotechnology; photovoltaics; plant species.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2014.067603

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2014 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.307 - 315

Received: 30 Oct 2013
Accepted: 14 Jul 2014
Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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