Photosystem I (PSI) is a membrane bound protein complex found in plants which helps drive photosynthesis. Due to its abundance in nature and high quantum efficiency, PSI is a prime candidate for use in biohybrid solar cells. To date, several PSI bioelectrodes have been successfully fabricated using a variety of different electrode materials and host matrices, such as conductive polymers like polyaniline (pAni). pAni has been polymerized on metallic electrodes in the past; however, carbon paper (CP) substrates have also been utilized for pAni polymerization. Electrochemically polymerizing aniline in the presence of PSI onto low cost, high surface area CP, enabled the production of PSI-pAni-CP electrodes which showed enhanced photocurrent generation. The hydrophobic CP was first pretreated then characterized using contact angle and cyclic voltammetry. Using the pretreated carbon electrodes, PSI-containing pAni composites were electrochemically produced and tested in photoelectrochemical cells. It was found that devices prepared in the presence of PSI enhanced the observed photocurrent by a factor of 2 over non-PSI containing devices. By investigating different mediator systems or optimizing deposition conditions, photocurrent generation can be further improved using carbon paper-based biohybrid electrodes.<br/> <br/>

Entrapment of photosystem I within a polyaniline matrix on carbon paper for photocurrent generation

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.