Comprehensive Nanoscience and Technology

0358909 - FZÚ 2012 RIV US eng M - Monography Chapter
Němec, Hynek - Galoppini, E. - Imahori, H. - Sundström, V.
Solar energy conversion – Natural to artificial.
Comprehensive Nanoscience and Technology. Boston: Elsvier B.V, 2011 - (Andrews, D.; Scholes, G.; Wiederrecht, G.), s. 325-359. 2. ISBN 978-0-12-374390-9
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GP202/09/P099; GA AV ČR(CZ) IAA100100902
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100520
Keywords : carotenoids * charge separation * charge transport * dye sensitized solar cells * interfacial electron transfer * ultrafast spectroscopy
Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism

Photosynthesis is the process by which energy of light is converted into chemical energy by plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. For this, highly specialized pigment-proteins have evolved that capture the light and transform the short-lived excited states of pigment molecules into a stable transmembrane potential. By close scrutiny of organization and processes of the photosynthetic pigment systems, a number of design principles can be recognized. By combining knowledge about structure and light-converting energy and electron-transfer processes, we can identify the most important features for efficient photosynthetic solar energy conversion. We also consider two types of nanostructured materials used for solar cell applications and start the discussion by identifying conceptual similarities and differences compared to the natural systems. The characteristic processes and specific properties of the artificial systems are then considered.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0196818