Enhancing Oxygenic Photosynthesis by Cross-Linked Perylenebisimide “Quantasomes”

[Image: see text] As the natural-born photoelectrolyzer for oxygen delivery, photosystem II (PSII) is hardly replicated with man-made constructs. However, building on the “quantasome” hypothesis (Science1964, 144, 1009−101117811607), PSII mimicry can be pared down to essentials by shaping a photocatalytic ensemble (from the Greek term ”soma” = body) where visible-light quanta trigger water oxidation. PSII-inspired quantasomes (QS) readily self-assemble into hierarchical photosynthetic nanostacks, made of bis-cationic perylenebisimides (PBI(2+)) as chromophores and deca-anionic tetraruthenate polyoxometalates (Ru(4)POM) as water oxidation catalysts (Nat. Chem.2019, 11, 146−15330510216). A combined supramolecular and click-chemistry strategy is used herein to interlock the PBI-QS with tetraethylene glycol (TEG) cross-linkers, yielding QS-TEG(lock) with increased water solvation, controlled growth, and up to a 340% enhancement of the oxygenic photocurrent compared to the first generation QS, as probed on 3D-inverse opal indium tin oxide electrodes at 8.5 sun irradiance (λ > 450 nm, 1.28 V vs RHE applied bias, TOF(max) = 0.096 ± 0.005 s(–1), FE(O2) > 95%). Action spectra, catalyst mass-activity, light-management, photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy (PEIS) together with Raman mapping of TEG-templated hydration shells point to a key role of the cross-linked PBI/Ru(4)POM nanoarrays, where the interplay of hydrophilic/hydrophobic domains is reminiscent of PSII-rich natural thylakoids.