Photochemical energy conversion in lecithin liposomes in the presence of phenosafranin and chlorophyll

Using an aqueous dispersion of egg lecithin liposome in the presence of phenosafranin dye and an aqueous dispersion of chlorophyll-incorporated liposome in the two chambers (which are separated by a Pyrex-sintered glass membrane with porosity G-4) of an H-shaped cell, a new type of photo-electrochemical cell has been developed. The photovoltage generation is found to be vector-additive upon illumination of one or both chambers, while the glass membrane behaves as a double electrode. The results have been interpreted in the light of a charge-transfer interaction between the dye and lipid. A photon-mediated electron-transfer mechanism is used for the chlorophyll molecule.