On thermodynamic inconsistencies in several photosynthetic and solar cell models and how to fix them

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Abstract

We analyze standard theoretical models of solar energy conversion developed to study solar cells and photosynthetic systems. We show that assuming the energy transfer to the reaction center/electric circuit is through a decay rate or “sink”, contradicts the second law of thermodynamics. We put forward a thermodynamically consistent alternative by explicitly considering parts of the reaction center/electric circuit and by employing a Hamiltonian transfer. The predicted energy transfer by the new scheme differs from the one found using a decay rate, casting doubts on the validity of the conclusions obtained by models which include the latter.

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Gelbwaser-Klimovsky, D., & Aspuru-Guzik, A. (2017). On thermodynamic inconsistencies in several photosynthetic and solar cell models and how to fix them. Chemical Science, 8(2), 1008–1014. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC04350J

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