PHOTOELECTROCHEMISTRY OF THYLAKOID MEMBRANES

A one-compartment three-electrode photoelectrochemical cell, first des igned by Alien and Crane and recently modified by Carpentier, was used to study the chronoamperometric behavior of a suspension of thylakoid s under saturating light conditions. The experimental results were mod eled successfully by considering the processes occurring in the diffus ion layer of the electrode. In a different experimental configuration, the thylakoid membranes were electrodeposited onto the electrode. The voltammetric and chronoamperometric curves indicate clearly the role of photosystem II as the photocatalyst of oxygen evolution at the elec trode. The use of suitable mediators of electron transfer to the elect rode allows evaluation of the sites of interaction of the membranes wi th the electrode itself. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.