Protonic and Electronic Charge Carriers in Solvated Biomacromolecules.

摘要

Evidence for intrinsic protonic conduction in solvated biomacromolecules was sought during vectorial charge transport. The methodology involved the adsorption of water and other organic liquids on biomacromolecules and subsequent solid-state electrolysis. The electrical conductivity changed upon solvation in a manner which was suggestive of the bulk dielectric theory first proposed by Rosenberg. The electrical conductance changes were related to the bulk dielectric constant of the adsorbed liquid but not related to its ionization potential. Solid-state electrolysis indicated that protons were part of the vectorial conductance process, as evidenced by the production of hydrogen. Oxygen, in contrast, was not found in an electrolysis product even when water was the adsorbate. The conclusion is that protonic conductance in biomacromolecules is intrinsic and remains so in the solvated state (1-3 BET monolayers). Current is not being carried on the 'bulk' adsorbed liquid. Keywords: Protein pumps, Bacteriorhodopsin, Membranes biology, ATP driven pumps, Enzymes, Transhydrogenases, Cytochrome oxidase, Hydration, Organic electronic semiconductors, Protonic semiconductors, Hemoglobin, DNA, Cytochrome, Charge transport, Adsorption isotherms, Adsorbates, Intrinsic protonic charge carriers, Solvation, Dielectric properties. (aw)