Photosynthetic Reaction Centers as Active Molecular Electronic Components

The aim of this project is the development of reaction centers from photosynthetic bacteria for use in molecule-based components and devices. Reaction centers (RCs) exhibit a remarkably highly efficient, extremely rapid, long-distance photoinduced charge separation under a wide range of conditions. The reaction center has electronic properties which are far superior, more flexible, and much less expensive to produce than any known synthetic donor/acceptor system. The key goal of the project will be to develop and to optimize strategies for the covalent attachment of reaction centers to electrode surfaces and to other reactive components. Molecular modelling will be used to decide among the many possible approaches, by evaluating the limitations and opportunities for each approach. If a well-defined interface can be fabricated between an ordered assembly capable of long-distance electron transfer and an electrode, then the potential for preparing light-driven molecular switches and novel sensors will have been realized. The long term objective is the design of molecular devices, including olecular switches and biosensors.