Multi-functional protein-QD hybrid substrates for photovoltaics and real-time biosensing

The unique energy transfer interaction between the optical Utilizing the direct energy transfer mechanism existing between semiconductor quantum dots and the hydrogen ion protein pump bacteriorhodopsin, a multi-functional bioelectronics platform is demonstrated. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer coupled QD-bR systems have been proven in both aqueous and dried film states, allowing for the vast QD optical absorbance range to directly contribute energy to the bR proton pumping sequence. A nanoscale deposition technique was employed to construct hybrid QD-bR electrodes capable of harnessing the FRET phenomena and enhancing the bR electrical output by nearly 300%. A biosensing prototype system was created where the target molecule disrupts the QD-bR FRET relationship and is signaled by an altered bR electrical output. With an integrated TiO₂ electron generating substrate, the QD-bR hybrid functions as a sensitizer in a thin film bio solar cell design, which will be presented in more detail at the conference and in the full paper.