Photoprotein as an internal light source for a photoelectrochemical cell employing a semiconducting oxide electrode

Abstract

Inorganic-bio nanocomposites combining photoproteins (aequorin, AEQ) with a Pt-doped α-Fe₂O₃ (Pt-α-Fe₂O₃) thin film could induce a photoelectrochemical reaction without an external light source. Blue emission originated from Ca²⁺ binding to AEQ excited the n-type semiconducting Pt-α-Fe₂O₃ under an anodic bias, then an anodic photocurrent was clearly observed in a basic solution.