Fabrication of electrically conductive and photoexcitable porphyrin-protein nanowires
Abstract
The transfer of electrons through protein complexes is central to cellular respiration and the production of energy through photosynthesis. Exploiting this mechanism of charge production and transfer in a controllable manner could revolutionize the fabrication ofultralow power bioelectronic components and devices from sustainable and nontoxic materials. This project will demonstrate that nanostructured protein materials can be rendered electronically conductive and photoexcitable through the incorporation of porphyrin molecules. Previously, we fabricated electronically conductive protein nanowires through the alignment of metalloproteins on an ultrastable protein filament. Recent development of this methodology has demonstrated that non-conductive protein filaments can be rendered conductive through the direct incorporation of heme molecules into protein filaments. Here, we propose to expand this approach andincorporate a variety of photoactive porphyrin molecules into protein filaments to create nanowires with tunable conductive and light harvesting properties. These novel protein nanowires will be used to create devices that will demonstrate: 1) photoinduced chargetransfer and current production for photovoltaics; 2) control over charge transfer through light-regulated field-effect transistor behavior; and 3) the direct powering of enzymes for photocatalysis in bioproduction. Furthermore, improved understanding of porphyrin incorporation into protein assemblies that will be achieved in this project will provide evidence-based knowledge to design patterned protein materials that can be functionalized with porphyrins for bioelectronics.Harnessing protein components to fabricate conductive and optoelectronic devices has unique advantages over electronic devices built from traditional inorganic materials. Protein-based materials offer a sustainable and rapidly scalable alternative to conventional inorganic materials, with mature technology enabling cost effective production of proteins from a range of microbial hosts. In addition, conductive and optoelectronic proteins could improve electrical interfacing between biological systems and abiotic devices, while also possessing semiconducting properties that function as transistors for switching and amplification of signals for biosensing and biocomputing applications. The project will continue a collaboration with Dr Sarah Glaven (Naval Research Laboratory) to apply protein nanowires as synthetic biofilms for electrical interfacing with microbes. The project will also leverage existing collaborations with colleagues in the United States, including Prof. Douglas Clark (UC Berkeley) and Prof. Benjamin Keitz (University of Texas at Austin) for the engineering and application of protein nanowires. The desired outcomes of this research effort include the creation of porphyrin nanowires with tailorable electrical and optoelectronic behaviors that will serve as foundational materials for building future bioelectronic devices.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 13, 2023
- Source ID
- N629092312087
Entities
People
- Dominic J Glover
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of New South Wales