PHOTOELECTRIC RESPONSE OF A BLACK LIPID-MEMBRANE CONTAINING AN AMPHIPHILIC AZOBENZENE DERIVATIVE

LIPID membranes containing dye molecules that respond to light, for example by photoisomerization, may provide the basis for artificial visual systems for use in optoelectronic devices and optical transducers. Here we describe such a membrane/dye system that generates an electrical signal in response to irradiation within a specific range of wavelengths. We incorporated an amphiphilic azobenzene derivative into the planar black lipid membrane formed from egg lecithin. When a d.c. voltage is applied across the modified membrane, transient current pulses are induced by alternate irradiation with ultraviolet and visible light. We interpret this photoelectric response as the result of changes in the membrane capacitance caused by cis-trans photoisomerization of the azobenzene derivative.