Production of Bacteriorhodopsin Nanoparticles Isolated from the Haloarchaeon Halobacterium Noricense for Biosensitized Solar Cell Development

Solar cells present a promising avenue for sustainable energy production by converting light energy into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Biosensitized Solar Cells are a greener modification of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, which utilise eco-friendly compounds like bacteriorhodopsin (bR) protein from a haloarchaeal organism Halobacterium noricense MITWPU HA6. This study involves optimising the yield and productivity of bacteriorhodopsin protein by targetting the organism's growth kinetics; extraction and purification of bacteriorhodopsin protein, with a total experimentally recorded yield of 1.28 g/L; studying the electrogenic potential of purified bacteriorhodopsin protein; and developing a protocol to nanocrystallize bacteriorhodopsin for its incorporation into Biosensitized solar cell modules, thus increasing its efficiency. Future studies aim to further enhance the protein's yield and productivity with the help of genetic engineering and metabolic engineering, and fabricate a biosensitized solar cell module using nanocrystallized bR protein, contributing to advancements in bioelectricity and bioenergy.