Sonochemical replication of chloroplast with titania for light harvesting

Authors

Xinye Liu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai
Shenmin Zhu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai
Haibo Jiang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, ShanghaiFollow
Gang Zhou, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Zhixin Chen, University of WollongongFollow
Di Zhang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, ShanghaiFollow

RIS ID

44881

Publication Details

Liu, X., Zhu, S., Jiang, H., Zhou, G., Chen, Z. and Zhang, D. (2011). Sonochemical replication of chloroplast with titania for light harvesting. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 18 (5), 1043-1047.

Abstract

Hierarchy structure of granum in chloroplast was replicated onto titania using a simple and tactical sonochemical method and calcination. The structures of TiO₂ replicas were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM and TEM and the pore structures were characterized by N₂ adsorption/desorption. As a comparison, the preparation without sonication by using impregnation then calcination method was conducted, which shows the efficiency of the ultrasound on the exact replication of granum from micrometers down to nanometers. The optical properties of the TiO₂ replica, the chloroplast and the commercial pure TiO₂ powder together with the compared replica were measured by absorbance spectroscopy. It was found that the absorbance intensity of the TiO₂ replica made by ultrasonication is much better than the soaked one, and is twice of that of the pure TiO₂ powder in ultraviolet – visible light range. The excellent light harvesting performance of the TiO₂ is attributed to the combination of the functionality from the inorganic oxide and the fine hierarchical biological structures.