Ferritin as a model for developing 3rd generation nano architecture organic/inorganic hybrid photo catalysts for energy conversion

Abstract

Solar power is the best option to replace fossil fuels to meet global energy demands. Current photovoltaic and artificial photosynthetic systems require improvements and include the development of: 1) inexpensive, abundant, non-toxic charge separation catalysts that absorb visible light; 2) stable catalysts with high turnover numbers that possess self-healing mechanisms to prevent photo corrosion; 3) catalysts capable of oxidizing a broad range of electron donors; and 4) hybrid organic/inorganic nano architectures that bridge charge flow from electron donors to electron acceptors. The ferritin nanocage is a model system of such an organic/inorganic hybrid catalyst capable of overcoming these photochemical limitations.