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<p>The efficient extraction of electrons from photosynthetic microorganisms remains a critical challenge in living biophotovoltaics (BPV). While nanomaterials can facilitate electron transport, their stochastic adsorption leads to inefficient material-wasteful interfaces. Here, we demonstrate a controllable approach to direct the targeted assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the type IV pili of <i>Synechocystis</i> sp. PCC 6803 by using a genetically encoded gold-binding peptide. This approach creates a spatially precise conductive nano-bio interface on the cell envelope that serves as a dedicated electron conduit between photosynthetic electron transport chains (PETCs) and electrodes. This nano-bio interface enhances electron transfer through synergistic improvements in interfacial charge transfer and biofilm density, ultimately yielding a four-fold increase in photocurrent density, while using two orders of magnitude less gold than non-targeted strategies. Moreover, the AuNPs can be transferred from inactivated to fresh cells, indicating a potential pathway for long-term stability. This work establishes a generalizable strategy for the rational design of conductive interfaces on living cells, with implications for biophotovoltaics, microbial electrosynthesis, and next-generation biohybrid devices.</p>

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Engineered conductive pili enable high-efficiency photosynthetic electron extraction in biophotovoltaics

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月25日

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  • Haowei Wang,
  • Yanping Zhang,
  • Yin Li,
  • Huawei Zhu

摘要

The efficient extraction of electrons from photosynthetic microorganisms remains a critical challenge in living biophotovoltaics (BPV). While nanomaterials can facilitate electron transport, their stochastic adsorption leads to inefficient material-wasteful interfaces. Here, we demonstrate a controllable approach to direct the targeted assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto the type IV pili of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 by using a genetically encoded gold-binding peptide. This approach creates a spatially precise conductive nano-bio interface on the cell envelope that serves as a dedicated electron conduit between photosynthetic electron transport chains (PETCs) and electrodes. This nano-bio interface enhances electron transfer through synergistic improvements in interfacial charge transfer and biofilm density, ultimately yielding a four-fold increase in photocurrent density, while using two orders of magnitude less gold than non-targeted strategies. Moreover, the AuNPs can be transferred from inactivated to fresh cells, indicating a potential pathway for long-term stability. This work establishes a generalizable strategy for the rational design of conductive interfaces on living cells, with implications for biophotovoltaics, microbial electrosynthesis, and next-generation biohybrid devices.