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Solar Energy Conversion in Photosynthesis — Features Relevant to Artificial Systems for the Photochemical Conversion of Solar Energy

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Solar Energy

Part of the book series: Contemporary Issues in Science and Society ((CISS))

Abstract

Photosynthesis is the only known process which can photochemically convert and store solar energy with a reasonable efficiency. Thus any attempts to develop artificial systems will probably be most successful when modelled on the natural process. In this paper, I attempt to examine the mechanism and efficiency of photosynthesis as a solar energy converter and extract those features which are most relevant to the design of artificial systems.

After a brief review of the thermodynamic and kinetic limitations on any photochemical conversion and storage process, the overall gross efficiency of photosynthesis is analyzed and found to be 9.2 ± 0.8%. This is reduced to 5.6 ± 1.2% when dark- and photo-respiration are considered. A wavelength threshold relation is derived for a general photochemical solar energy process and it is shown that if photosynthesis were to proceed with one photosystem, then the threshold wavelength would be about 610 nm. Since photosynthesis is known to have a threshold wavelength of ~ 700 nm, it is seen that two photosystems are necessary not only to carry out the reaction but also to maximize the fit to the solar spectrum and hence to maximize the efficiency.

The last part of the paper will analyze the mechanism of photosynthesis, particularly the mechanism of the primary photochemical electron transfer process in the reaction center protein. Although highly speculative, I attempt to extract the important features of the structure and mechanism which lead to a very high quantum yield and efficiency.

Publication No. 196 of the Photochemistry Unit, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, N6A 5B7.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Photochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, N6A 5B7

    James R. Bolton

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  1. James R. Bolton
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Richard R. Hautala R. Bruce King Charles Kutal

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© 1979 The HUMANA Press Inc.

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Bolton, J.R. (1979). Solar Energy Conversion in Photosynthesis — Features Relevant to Artificial Systems for the Photochemical Conversion of Solar Energy. In: Hautala, R.R., King, R.B., Kutal, C. (eds) Solar Energy. Contemporary Issues in Science and Society. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-6245-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-6245-9_2

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-6247-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-6245-9

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