The function of protein in long-range biological electron transfer is a question of debate. We report some preliminary results in femtosecond spectroscopic study of photosynthetic bacterial light-harvesting antenna co...The function of protein in long-range biological electron transfer is a question of debate. We report some preliminary results in femtosecond spectroscopic study of photosynthetic bacterial light-harvesting antenna complex assembled onto TiO2 nanoparticle with an average size of 8 nm in diameter. Crystal structure shows that photosynthetic bacterial antenna complex LH2 has a ring-like structure composed by alpha- and beta-apoprotein helices. The alpha- and beta-transmembrance helices construct two concentric cylinders with pigments bacteriochlorophyll a (Bchl a) and carotenoid (Car) buried inside the protein. We attempt to insert TiO2 nanoparticle into the cavity of the inner cylindrical hollow of LH2 to investigate the nature of the electron transfer between the excited-state Bchl a and the TiO2 nanoparticle. A significant decrease in the ground state bleaching recovery time constant for Bchl a at 850 run (B850) in respect to that of the Bchl a in free LH2 has been observed. By using the relation of distance-dependent long-range electron transfer rate in protein, the distance between the donor B850 and the acceptor TiO2 nanoparticle has been estimated, which is about 0.6 nm. The proposed method of assembling proteins onto wide-gap semiconductor nanoparticle can be a promising way to determine the role of the protein playing in biological electron transfer processes.展开更多
Membrane fouling is one of the major obstacles for reaching a high flux over a prolonged period of ultrafiltration(UF)process.In this study,a sulfonated-polyethersulfone(SPES)/nano-TiO2 composite UF membrane with ...Membrane fouling is one of the major obstacles for reaching a high flux over a prolonged period of ultrafiltration(UF)process.In this study,a sulfonated-polyethersulfone(SPES)/nano-TiO2 composite UF membrane with good anti-fouling performance was fabricated by phase inversion and self-assembly methods.The TiO2 nanoparticle self-assembly on the SPES membrane surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)and FT-IR spectrometer.The morphology and hydrophilicity were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),atomic force microscopy(AFM)and contact angle goniometer,respectively.The anti-fouling mechanism of composite UF membrane was discussed through the analysis of the micro-structure and component of UF membrane surface.The results showed that the TiO2 content and the micro-structure of the composite UF membrane surface had great influence on the separation and anti-fouling performance.展开更多
A new kind of self-standing CuO@TiO2 nanowires (NWs) film with hierarchical feature was prepared by a three-step protocol consisting of hydrothermal reaction, electroless plating, and branched growth processes. This h...A new kind of self-standing CuO@TiO2 nanowires (NWs) film with hierarchical feature was prepared by a three-step protocol consisting of hydrothermal reaction, electroless plating, and branched growth processes. This heterostructured CuO@TiO2 NWs film demonstrates the favorable physical properties in the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) water splitting, such as the hierarchical surface, the extended optical absorption range, and the rapid interface charge transfer kinetics. Under the illumination of the simulated solar light, the pristine TiO2 NWs film only attains a photocurrent density of 0.12 mA/cm2 at 1.0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). Significantly, the CuO@TiO2 NWs film can yield a dramatically increased photocurrent density of 0.56 mA/cm2 at the same applied voltage. Furthermore, amperometric I?t tests of the CuO@TiO2 NWs film reveal satisfactory stability. All the above characteristics of this heterostructured CuO@TiO2 NWs film indicate its great potential in the water splitting applications with solar visible light.展开更多
The study of nano properties of PbSe (lead selenide) thin films deposited on TiO2 semi conductor film prepared by sol gel method was a new work destined to perfect the nano materials used in photovoltaic energy. The...The study of nano properties of PbSe (lead selenide) thin films deposited on TiO2 semi conductor film prepared by sol gel method was a new work destined to perfect the nano materials used in photovoltaic energy. The growth of the first group of the fihns (Set 1: P(9)) & P(14)) was based on the decomposition of lead citrate and sodium selenosulphite in the presence of sodium citrate and sodium hydroxide with ammonia and triethalamine (TEA) acting as the complexing agents and P.H stabilizers; while in the second group (Set 2: Pc15~), the reaction bath was made up of solutions of lead nitrate Pb(NO3)2, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), H20 (distilled water), NH3 (ammonia), sodium selenosulphite (Na2SeSO3) and Triethalamine [N(CH2CH2OH)], which was used as the complexing agent. The deposited materials were identified by X-ray diffraction. In addition, nano optical and morphological investigations were also performed. The sample P9 has the lowest absorbance of about 0.3 nm in the ultra-violet region. It was found that there was a reduction in the optical absorbance as the wavelength increases. The optical band gap shows a range of 1.26-2.00 eV with sample PcIs~ having the lowest direct band gap.展开更多
An oriented array of electron transporting nanowires, grown directly on a transparent conductor constitutes an optimal architecture for efficient photovoltaic applications. In addition, semiconductor nanocrystals can ...An oriented array of electron transporting nanowires, grown directly on a transparent conductor constitutes an optimal architecture for efficient photovoltaic applications. In addition, semiconductor nanocrystals can work as efficient light absorbers because of their tunable optical properties. In this paper, we use an oriented array of TiO2 nanowires grown directly on a transparent conductive electrode and subsequently sensitized with colloidally grown CdSeS nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs), using an efficient bi-linker assisted methodology, to demonstrate photovoltaic cells. Upon excitation with light, exciton dissociation takes place at the nanowire-nanocrystal interface, after which, electrons are transported to the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode via single-crystalline TiO2 nanowire channels. We demonstrate that an ex situ ligand exchange of QDs followed by sensitization on oxygen-plasma treated TiO2 nanowires results in enhanced loading of QDs, as compared to the in situ ligand exchange approach. An array of 1μm long TiO2 nanowire sensitized with CdSeS nanocrystals exhibits photovoltaic effects with a short-circuit current of 2-3 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage of 0.6-0.7 V and a fill factor of 52-5%, resulting in devices with efficiencies of up to 0.6%.展开更多
文摘The function of protein in long-range biological electron transfer is a question of debate. We report some preliminary results in femtosecond spectroscopic study of photosynthetic bacterial light-harvesting antenna complex assembled onto TiO2 nanoparticle with an average size of 8 nm in diameter. Crystal structure shows that photosynthetic bacterial antenna complex LH2 has a ring-like structure composed by alpha- and beta-apoprotein helices. The alpha- and beta-transmembrance helices construct two concentric cylinders with pigments bacteriochlorophyll a (Bchl a) and carotenoid (Car) buried inside the protein. We attempt to insert TiO2 nanoparticle into the cavity of the inner cylindrical hollow of LH2 to investigate the nature of the electron transfer between the excited-state Bchl a and the TiO2 nanoparticle. A significant decrease in the ground state bleaching recovery time constant for Bchl a at 850 run (B850) in respect to that of the Bchl a in free LH2 has been observed. By using the relation of distance-dependent long-range electron transfer rate in protein, the distance between the donor B850 and the acceptor TiO2 nanoparticle has been estimated, which is about 0.6 nm. The proposed method of assembling proteins onto wide-gap semiconductor nanoparticle can be a promising way to determine the role of the protein playing in biological electron transfer processes.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(Q2007B01)
文摘Membrane fouling is one of the major obstacles for reaching a high flux over a prolonged period of ultrafiltration(UF)process.In this study,a sulfonated-polyethersulfone(SPES)/nano-TiO2 composite UF membrane with good anti-fouling performance was fabricated by phase inversion and self-assembly methods.The TiO2 nanoparticle self-assembly on the SPES membrane surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)and FT-IR spectrometer.The morphology and hydrophilicity were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),atomic force microscopy(AFM)and contact angle goniometer,respectively.The anti-fouling mechanism of composite UF membrane was discussed through the analysis of the micro-structure and component of UF membrane surface.The results showed that the TiO2 content and the micro-structure of the composite UF membrane surface had great influence on the separation and anti-fouling performance.
基金Projects(21107032,21473079)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProjects(Y201330088,Y20133003)supported by the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province,China
文摘A new kind of self-standing CuO@TiO2 nanowires (NWs) film with hierarchical feature was prepared by a three-step protocol consisting of hydrothermal reaction, electroless plating, and branched growth processes. This heterostructured CuO@TiO2 NWs film demonstrates the favorable physical properties in the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) water splitting, such as the hierarchical surface, the extended optical absorption range, and the rapid interface charge transfer kinetics. Under the illumination of the simulated solar light, the pristine TiO2 NWs film only attains a photocurrent density of 0.12 mA/cm2 at 1.0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). Significantly, the CuO@TiO2 NWs film can yield a dramatically increased photocurrent density of 0.56 mA/cm2 at the same applied voltage. Furthermore, amperometric I?t tests of the CuO@TiO2 NWs film reveal satisfactory stability. All the above characteristics of this heterostructured CuO@TiO2 NWs film indicate its great potential in the water splitting applications with solar visible light.
文摘The study of nano properties of PbSe (lead selenide) thin films deposited on TiO2 semi conductor film prepared by sol gel method was a new work destined to perfect the nano materials used in photovoltaic energy. The growth of the first group of the fihns (Set 1: P(9)) & P(14)) was based on the decomposition of lead citrate and sodium selenosulphite in the presence of sodium citrate and sodium hydroxide with ammonia and triethalamine (TEA) acting as the complexing agents and P.H stabilizers; while in the second group (Set 2: Pc15~), the reaction bath was made up of solutions of lead nitrate Pb(NO3)2, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), H20 (distilled water), NH3 (ammonia), sodium selenosulphite (Na2SeSO3) and Triethalamine [N(CH2CH2OH)], which was used as the complexing agent. The deposited materials were identified by X-ray diffraction. In addition, nano optical and morphological investigations were also performed. The sample P9 has the lowest absorbance of about 0.3 nm in the ultra-violet region. It was found that there was a reduction in the optical absorbance as the wavelength increases. The optical band gap shows a range of 1.26-2.00 eV with sample PcIs~ having the lowest direct band gap.
文摘An oriented array of electron transporting nanowires, grown directly on a transparent conductor constitutes an optimal architecture for efficient photovoltaic applications. In addition, semiconductor nanocrystals can work as efficient light absorbers because of their tunable optical properties. In this paper, we use an oriented array of TiO2 nanowires grown directly on a transparent conductive electrode and subsequently sensitized with colloidally grown CdSeS nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs), using an efficient bi-linker assisted methodology, to demonstrate photovoltaic cells. Upon excitation with light, exciton dissociation takes place at the nanowire-nanocrystal interface, after which, electrons are transported to the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode via single-crystalline TiO2 nanowire channels. We demonstrate that an ex situ ligand exchange of QDs followed by sensitization on oxygen-plasma treated TiO2 nanowires results in enhanced loading of QDs, as compared to the in situ ligand exchange approach. An array of 1μm long TiO2 nanowire sensitized with CdSeS nanocrystals exhibits photovoltaic effects with a short-circuit current of 2-3 mA/cm2, an open circuit voltage of 0.6-0.7 V and a fill factor of 52-5%, resulting in devices with efficiencies of up to 0.6%.