Photosynthesis nitrogen fixation separation

The absorption of light by semiconductors cremes electron-hole pairs e h+) which can be separated because their components diffuse in different directions. The energies of these moieties can be stored by several mechanisms or used in photocatalysis or photosynthesis for nitrogen fixation, formation of amino acids, methanol, etc. The efficiencies of such conversions depend almost entirely upon the semiconductor material, and as yet these efficiencies are too low for significant application. Currently the most promise is demonstrated by the use of titania on a platinum substrate or single crystals of strontium titanate. See also Photoelectric Effect. 

Stal, L. J., and Krumbein, W. E. (1987). T emporal separation of nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis in the filamentous, nonheterocystous cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sp. Arch. Microbiol. 149, 76—80. 

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