Photoelectric properties of bacteriorhodopsin analogs for color-sensitive optoelectronic devices

Wild-type bacteriorhodopsin and its two retinal analogs, 3,4-didehydro and 4-keto, were studied as potential materials for optoelectronic and molecular electronic applications. Thick-film elements based on the three types of bacteriorhodopsin and polyvinylalcohol were prepared to determine the photoelectric properties of the materials for the development of a color-sensitive optoelectronic sensor. The measurements included recording the photoelectric responses, and determining the intensity and wavelength dependences of the responses. The results show that the photoelectric responses are stable and the signal-to-noise ratios are adequate, the intensity dependencies at the measured range are close to linear, and the wavelength dependencies are different enough to achieve color-sensitivity in a sensor.