Artificial photosynthetic power generation system that broadens the spectral operating range through cross-species integration

Abstract

This invention discloses an artificial photosynthetic power generation system that broadens the spectral operating range through cross-species composite technology. The system is constructed through the following steps: S1, providing plant proteins and bacterial photosynthetic reaction center proteins; S2, constructing a photon-harvesting system; S3, arranging the photon-harvesting system and a light-transmitting, conductive auxiliary chip opposite to each other, such that the reaction structure on the working chip is located within the reaction space formed between the working chip and the auxiliary chip; then, adding electron transport protease and ubiquinone within the reaction space, and providing the liquid environment required for the electron transport protease and ubiquinone to function, thereby obtaining the artificial photosynthetic power generation system. The cross-species composite artificial photosynthetic power generation system constructed in this invention retains the high energy conversion efficiency advantage of natural photosynthetic systems while expanding the light energy harvesting range of natural photosynthetic systems, thus possessing great potential in enhancing photosynthesis and improving light energy conversion efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of bioenergy, and in particular to an artificial photosynthetic power generation system that broadens the spectral operating range through cross-species composite synthesis. Background Technology

[0002] With increasing energy consumption due to societal development, energy crises and environmental pollution have become major issues facing countries worldwide. Among numerous new energy development projects, solar energy based on artificial photosynthetic systems shows enormous potential due to its advantages such as high efficiency, ease of maintenance, storability, and high safety. On February 19, 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it would invest $100 million over the next five years to advance the technological development of artificial photosynthetic systems, addressing key issues in the theoretical mechanisms, application foundations, and material components of energy production processes. Efficiently acquiring clean solar energy by mimicking natural photosynthetic systems is of great significance to sustainable development.

[0003] In natural photosynthetic systems, the light-harvesting system (LHS), composed of the light-harvesting complex (LH) and the reaction center (RC), is a key functional unit. Its efficient light-harvesting ability is fundamental to supporting subsequent catalytic carbon fixation and energy storage. However, existing solar cells or artificial light-harvesting systems have a very limited utilization range of the solar spectrum, and most do not capture or utilize the peak radiation energy in the 500nm to 600nm range. Most existing artificial photosynthetic systems use photoelectric materials to capture light energy, and then use biological materials and composite materials to convert light energy into electrical and chemical energy. Therefore, in terms of speed and efficiency, they are difficult to match the ultrafast energy transfer and high quantum efficiency conversion of natural photosynthetic proteins. Furthermore, there is significant room for improvement in enhancing the light energy capture and conversion efficiency of photovoltaic panels made of physical materials. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an artificial photosynthetic power generation system that broadens the spectral working range by cross-species composite technology, in order to address the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an artificial photosynthetic power generation system that broadens the spectral working range through cross-species composite synthesis, which is constructed through the following steps:

[0006] S1. Provides plant proteins for capturing light energy and bacterial photosynthetic reaction center proteins for converting light energy into photoelectrons;

[0007] S2. The plant protein and the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein are sequentially printed on a light-transmitting and conductive working chip to obtain a photoharvesting system, wherein the plant protein and the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein form a grid-like reaction structure.

[0008] S3. The photoharvesting system and a light-transmitting and conductive auxiliary chip are arranged opposite each other, so that the reaction structure on the working chip is located in the reaction space formed between the working chip and the auxiliary chip. Then, electron transport protease and ubiquinone are added in the reaction space, and the liquid environment required for the electron transport protease and ubiquinone to work is provided, thereby obtaining the artificial photosynthetic power generation system.

[0009] Under illumination, the plant protein in the photoharvesting system captures light energy and transfers it to the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein to form photoelectrons. With the assistance of electron transport protease and ubiquinone, a photocurrent is formed, which is finally output through the working chip.

[0010] Preferably, the plant protein is obtained by extraction from spinach leaves.

[0011] Preferably, the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein is obtained by extraction from photosynthetic bacteria.

[0012] Preferably, the photosynthetic bacteria are Rhodophyton floccosum, Rhodospirillum, Rhodopseudomonas, or Rhodospirillum.

[0013] Preferably, the auxiliary chip and the working chip are ITO chips.

[0014] Preferably, step S2 specifically includes:

[0015] S2-1. Pouring potting compound onto a silicon-based master plate, followed by heat repair, and then placing it in a water bath for peeling to form a PDMS stamp with micro-nano patterns, wherein the silicon-based master plate has a periodic linear array pattern.

[0016] S2-2, Modify a polylysine monolayer on the working chip in advance and activate it with dimethyloctyldiimide;

[0017] S2-3. Deposit the plant protein onto the PDMS stamp, then invert the PDMS stamp onto the working chip, so that the plant protein is printed on the working chip in an alternating stripe pattern;

[0018] The bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein is then deposited on the PDMS stamp. The PDMS stamp is then inverted on the working chip, so that the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein is printed on the working chip in an alternating stripe pattern and above the striped plant protein. The stripes of the plant protein and the stripes of the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein are not parallel, thus forming a grid-like reaction structure to obtain the photoharvesting system.

[0019] Preferably, in the interlaced reaction structure, the stripes of plant proteins are perpendicular to the stripes of bacterial photosynthetic reaction center proteins.

[0020] Preferably, the potting compound is Dow Corning DC184.

[0021] Preferably, in step S3, a Tris buffer solution is added to the reaction space to provide the liquid environment required for the transport protease and ubiquinone to function.

[0022] Preferably, in step S3, the concentrations of both plant protein and bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein in the liquid environment are 1 mM, and the pH value of the liquid environment is 8-8.5.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0024] The cross-species composite artificial photosynthetic power generation system provided by this invention captures light energy through plant light-harvesting proteins, thereby expanding the overall spectral operating range of the photosynthetic system and effectively utilizing the peak wavelength energy of sunlight. Then, the light energy captured by the plant light-harvesting proteins is received through a high quantum-efficiency bacterial reaction center, which completes photoelectron splitting and achieves efficient conversion of photocurrent. With the assistance of electron transport proteases, a photocurrent is formed with low loss, ultimately achieving effective capture and efficient conversion of solar energy.

[0025] This invention can extend the effective light-harvesting range of existing artificial photosynthesis systems or solar cells from the infrared region to the visible and infrared regions, thereby better realizing the utilization of the peak emission wavelength of the solar spectrum.

[0026] Traditional photovoltaic solar panels have a light energy conversion efficiency of about 20%, while natural photosynthetic systems can produce 2-3 times more light energy under optimal conditions in the short term. The cross-species composite artificial photosynthetic power generation system constructed in this invention retains the high energy conversion efficiency of natural photosynthetic systems while expanding the light energy capture range of natural photosynthetic systems. Therefore, it has great potential in enhancing photosynthesis and improving light energy conversion efficiency.

[0027] The main reaction structure of this invention is a natural photosynthetic protein, which is economical, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive. Among them, plant protein has excellent light energy capture performance, bacterial reaction center structure is stable, can adapt to a variety of in vitro environments, and has a high quantum conversion efficiency of nearly 100%, thereby improving the overall system energy conversion efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the construction process of the artificial photosynthetic power generation system of the present invention, which broadens the spectral working range through cross-species composite synthesis.

[0029] Figure 2 This invention demonstrates the spectral extension effect of the artificial photosynthetic power generation system that broadens the spectral working range through cross-species composite technology.

[0030] Figure 3 This is the result of a feasibility test of an artificial photosynthetic power generation system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 1—Silicone master plate; 2—Potting adhesive; 3—Water bath; 4—PDMS stamp; 5—Working chip, auxiliary chip; 6—Poly-Lysine molecular layer; 7—Plant light-harvesting protein; 8—Bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein; 9—Photon-harvesting system; 10—Electron transport protease; 11—Ubiquinone; 12—Current output device. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can implement it based on the description.

[0034] It should be understood that terms such as “having,” “comprising,” and “including” as used herein do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or combinations thereof.

[0035] Unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods used in the following examples are conventional methods. Unless otherwise specified, the materials and reagents used in the following examples are commercially available. For examples where specific conditions are not specified, conventional conditions or conditions recommended by the manufacturer are followed. For reagents or instruments whose manufacturers are not specified, they are all commercially available products.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] Reference Figure 1 This embodiment provides an artificial photosynthetic power generation system that broadens the spectral operating range through cross-species composite synthesis. The system is constructed through the following steps:

[0038] S1. Provides plant proteins for capturing light energy and bacterial photosynthetic reaction center proteins (referred to as bacterial reaction centers) for converting light energy into photoelectrons;

[0039] The plant protein is extracted from spinach leaves, while the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein is extracted from photosynthetic bacteria. These photosynthetic bacteria include Rhodophyton floccosum, Rhodospirillum, Rhodopseudomonas, or Rhodophyton spp.

[0040] S2. Plant proteins and bacterial photosynthetic reaction center proteins are sequentially printed onto a light-transmitting and conductive working chip to obtain a photon-harvesting system, wherein the plant proteins and bacterial photosynthetic reaction center proteins form a grid-like reaction structure. In this embodiment, specifically:

[0041] S2-1. Dow Corning DC184 potting compound is poured onto a silicon-based master substrate. After heat repair at 74°C, the substrate is placed in a water bath for fine peeling after 8 hours to form a PDMS stamp with micro-nano patterns. The silicon-based master substrate is a silicon etched chip with a periodic linear array pattern. In a preferred embodiment, the linear array pattern can be selected as a linear array pattern with a line array width of 5 micrometers, a depth of 1.35 micrometers, and a period length of 10 μm.

[0042] S2-2, Modify the working chip with a polylysine monolayer in advance and activate it with dimethyloctyldiimide to achieve protein cross-linking reaction;

[0043] S2-3. Deposit the plant protein onto the PDMS stamp, then invert the PDMS stamp onto the working chip so that the plant protein is printed onto the working chip in an alternating stripe pattern.

[0044] Then, the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein is deposited on a PDMS stamp. The PDMS stamp is then inverted on the working chip, so that the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein is printed on the working chip in an alternating stripe pattern and above the stripe pattern of plant protein. The stripes of plant protein and the stripes of bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein are not parallel, thus forming a grid-like reaction structure, resulting in a photon-harvesting system.

[0045] In this embodiment, in the interlaced reaction structure, the stripes of plant proteins are perpendicular to the stripes of bacterial photosynthetic reaction center proteins.

[0046] In the photon-harvesting system, plant proteins are responsible for capturing light energy and converting it into excited-state energy, which is then transferred to the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein. The bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein achieves photoelectron splitting conversion with high quantum efficiency (the principle of which can be found in references 1 and 2), thereby forming a photocurrent.

[0047] S3. The photoharvesting system and a light-transmitting and conductive auxiliary chip are arranged opposite each other, so that the reaction structure on the working chip is located in the reaction space formed between the working chip and the auxiliary chip. Then, electron transport protease and ubiquinone are added in the reaction space to form a closed loop of electron transfer chain, and the liquid environment required for the electron transport protease and ubiquinone to work is provided, thereby obtaining an artificial photosynthetic power generation system.

[0048] Under illumination, plant proteins in the photoharvesting system capture light energy and transfer it to the photosynthetic reaction center proteins of bacteria to form photoelectrons. With the assistance of electron transport proteases and ubiquinone, photocurrents are formed, which are then output by the working chip through a current output device in cooperation with an auxiliary chip.

[0049] In this embodiment, the working chip is an ITO chip.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, step S3 provides the necessary liquid environment for the transport protease and ubiquinone to function by adding a Tris buffer solution into the reaction space. The concentration of both the plant protein and the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein in the liquid environment is 1 mM, and the pH of the liquid environment is 8-8.5.

[0051] Since the peak intensity of the solar spectrum is distributed around 500 nm, while most physical material-based artificial photosynthetic systems or solar cells operate in the infrared region, they fail to capture photons within this peak spectral range. Therefore, this invention utilizes a cross-species composite approach, combining plant light-harvesting protein 7, which has an advantageous light-harvesting range, with a stable and inexpensive bacterial reaction center to form a cross-species composite artificial photosynthetic system. This effectively broadens the spectral operating range, thereby enabling the capture and utilization of peak radiant energy in the solar spectrum. The spectral expansion effect is shown in [details omitted]. Figure 2 It can be seen that plant light-harvesting proteins have excellent light absorption performance at both 470nm and 485nm, which can effectively compensate for the spectral working range of bacterial reaction centers, and achieve light energy capture in the ranges of 350-550nm and 800-900nm. The emission spectrum of plant light-harvesting protein 7 and the absorption spectrum of bacterial reaction center 8 effectively overlap in the 700-750nm band, thus ensuring that the light energy absorbed by plant light-harvesting protein 7 is efficiently and with low loss transferred to bacterial reaction centers, thereby achieving high quantum efficiency charge splitting and generating stronger photocurrent.

[0052] In this embodiment, the feasibility of the artificial photosynthetic power generation system was tested: The photon-harvesting system was placed in an electrochemical cell with Ag / AgCl / 3M KCl and platinum electrodes in an electrolyte solution (pH 8.0) containing 20mM Tris, 200μM electron transport enzyme, and 500μM ubiquinone. A PGSTAT128N potentiostat (Metrohm Autolab) was used to control the bias voltage of Ag / AgCl at -100mV, and the RC photocurrent was measured. The artificial photosynthetic system was illuminated with a 470nm LED light source for 8 minutes followed by 8 minutes of illumination. The photocurrent density during the illumination period was measured to be 200-400 nA / cm². -2 The test results are as follows Figure 3 As shown.

[0053] This invention proposes a cross-species approach involving plants and bacteria, enabling plant light-harvesting proteins to capture light energy, thereby expanding the overall spectral operating range of the photosynthetic system and effectively utilizing the peak wavelength energy of sunlight. Energy is received through high-quantum-efficiency bacterial reaction centers, completing photoelectron splitting and achieving efficient conversion of photocurrent. With the assistance of electron transport proteases, photocurrent is generated with low loss, ultimately achieving effective capture and efficient conversion of solar energy.

[0054] Traditional photovoltaic solar panels have a light energy conversion efficiency of about 20%, while the short-term light energy output of natural photosynthetic systems under optimal conditions can be 2-3 times that of photovoltaic solar panels (see reference 3). The cross-species composite artificial photosynthetic power generation system constructed in this invention retains the advantage of high energy conversion efficiency of natural photosynthetic systems, while expanding the light energy capture range of natural photosynthetic systems. Therefore, it has great potential in enhancing photosynthesis and improving light energy conversion efficiency.

[0055] References:

[0056] 1.Cartron,ML;Olsen,JD;Sener,M.;Jackson,PJ;Brindley,AA;Qian,P.;Dickman,MJ;Leggett,GJ;Schulten,K.;Hunter,CN,Integration of energy and electron transfer processes in the photosynthetic membrane of Rhodobactersphaeroides.Biochimica et Biophysica Acta(BBA)-Bioenergetics 2014,1837(10),1769-1780.

[0057] 2. Blankenship, RE, Molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis. Blackwell Science Ltd: Oxford, UK, 2002.

[0058] 3. Blankenship, RE; Tiede, DM; Barber, J.; Brudvig, GW; Fleming, G.; Ghirardi, M.; Gunner, MR; Junge, W.; Kramer, DM; Mel Comparing Photosynthetic and Photovoltaic Efficiencies and Recognizing the Potential for Improvement.Science 2011,332(6031),805-809.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details.

Claims

1. An artificial photosynthetic power generation system that broadens the spectral operating range through cross-species composite synthesis, characterized in that, The system is constructed through the following steps: S1. Provides plant proteins for capturing light energy and bacterial photosynthetic reaction center proteins for converting light energy into photoelectrons; S2. The plant protein and the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein are sequentially printed on a light-transmitting and conductive working chip to obtain a photoharvesting system, wherein the plant protein and the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein form a grid-like reaction structure. In the photon-harvesting system, plant proteins are responsible for capturing light energy and converting it into excited-state energy, which is then transferred to the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein. The bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein achieves photoelectron splitting conversion with high quantum efficiency, thereby forming a photocurrent. S3. The photoharvesting system and a light-transmitting and conductive auxiliary chip are arranged opposite each other, so that the reaction structure on the working chip is located in the reaction space formed between the working chip and the auxiliary chip. Then, electron transport protease and ubiquinone are added in the reaction space, and the liquid environment required for the electron transport protease and ubiquinone to work is provided, thereby obtaining the artificial photosynthetic power generation system. Under illumination, the plant protein in the photoharvesting system captures light energy and transfers it to the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein to form photoelectrons. With the assistance of electron transport protease and ubiquinone, a photocurrent is formed, which is finally output through the working chip. Step S2 specifically includes: S2-1. Pouring potting compound onto a silicon-based master plate, followed by heat repair, and then placing it in a water bath for peeling to form a PDMS stamp with micro-nano patterns, wherein the silicon-based master plate has a periodic linear array pattern. S2-2, Modify a polylysine monolayer on the working chip in advance and activate it with dimethyloctyldiimide; S2-3. Deposit the plant protein onto the PDMS stamp, then invert the PDMS stamp onto the working chip, so that the plant protein is printed on the working chip in an alternating stripe pattern; Then, the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein is deposited on the PDMS stamp, and the PDMS stamp is inverted on the working chip so that the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein is printed on the working chip in a striped pattern and above the striped plant protein. The stripes of the plant protein and the stripes of the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein are not parallel, thus forming a grid-like reaction structure to obtain the photoharvesting system. In the grid-like reaction structure, the stripes of plant proteins are perpendicular to the stripes of proteins in the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center.

2. The artificial photosynthetic power generation system for broadening the spectral working range through cross-species composite processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plant protein is obtained by extraction from spinach leaves.

3. The artificial photosynthetic power generation system for broadening the spectral working range through cross-species composite processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein was obtained by extraction from photosynthetic bacteria.

4. The artificial photosynthetic power generation system for broadening the spectral working range through cross-species composite processing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The photosynthetic bacteria are Rhodophyta, Rhodospirillum, Rhodopseudomonas, or Rhodospirillum.

5. The artificial photosynthetic power generation system for broadening the spectral working range through cross-species composite processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the auxiliary chip and the working chip are ITO chips.

6. The artificial photosynthetic power generation system for broadening the spectral working range through cross-species composite processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The potting compound is Dow Corning DC184.

7. The artificial photosynthetic power generation system for broadening the spectral working range through cross-species composite processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, a Tris buffer solution is added to the reaction space to provide the liquid environment required for the transport protease and ubiquinone to function.

8. The artificial photosynthetic power generation system for broadening the spectral working range through cross-species composite processing according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step S3, the concentrations of both plant protein and bacterial photosynthetic reaction center protein in the liquid environment are 1 mM, and the pH value of the liquid environment is 8-8.5.

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