Properties of Encapsulated Chlorophyll-a in Carboxymethyl Cellulose: Material for Artificial Membrane

The operation of Photosynthetic Biomaterials (PBMs) away from its native membrane environment reduces its energy transducing and photovoltaic efficiencies drastically. Such degradations are contributed to the biomaterials' loss of photo-functionality in displaced environments or as a result of reconstitution into unsuitable "artificial membrane" materials. The work involves development of suitable preparation of gel-like carboxymethyl cellulose solution as the artificial membrane to encapsulate Chlorophyll-a molecules so as to successfully mimic and retain its native spectroscopic properties for extended periods of time. Further progress towards developing such re-engineered synthetic mediums for the artificial reconstitution of PBMs may highlight extended usage when incorporated into future device applications.