Photocurrent generation in a light-harvesting system with multifunctional artificial nanochannels

Abstract

We develop an artificial light-harvesting system for photocurrent generation. Platinized TiO₂ nanochannels are used as ultraviolet-light-harvesting antennae, which generate a transmembrane electrochemical gradient by asymmetric work function driven photochemical reactions. As a result, a potential difference is formed across the nanochannels, producing a photocurrent flowing through the external circuit.