PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF PURPLE MEMBRANE LANGMUIR-BLODGETT-FILMS AT THE ELECTRODE-ELECTROLYTE INTERFACE

Langmuir-Blodgett films of the halobacterial purple membrane were formed on SnO2 conductive electrodes. Generation and the behavior of bacteriorhodopsin-induced photocurrents at the interface of electrode and aqueous electrolyte were investigated under controlled potentials in an electrochemical cell. Efficient and rectified photocurrents were obtained, demonstrating significant dependence on the electrode potential and pH of the electrolyte.