Insights on the (Auto)Photocatalysis of Ferritin Saenz, Natalie Sánchez, Manuel Gálvez Rodríguez, Natividad Carmona Rodríguez-Acosta, Fernando Arosio, Paolo Domínguez Vera, José Manuel Ferritin Photocatalysis Polyoxometalates Iron Traditionally, ferritin has been considered a photocatalyst capable of photo-oxidizing organic molecules and transferring electrons to external electron acceptors when irradiated by UV–visible light. We have designed new approaches to resolve the uncertainties regarding its photocatalytical mechanism. Experiments with an Fe(II) chelator, an electrochromic indicator, and recombinant ferritin proteins indicate that the excited electrons at the conduction band of the ferritin core do not cross the protein shell. Instead, irradiation causes the electrons to reduce the ferrihydrite core to produce Fe(II) ions. These Fe(II) ions exit the protein shell to reduce electron acceptors. In the absence of electron acceptors or chelators, Fe(II) re-enters ferritin. 2017-07-24T11:49:06Z 2017-07-24T11:49:06Z 2016-06 journal article Saenz, N.; et al. Insights on the (Auto)Photocatalysis of Ferritin. Inorganic Chemistry, 55(12): 6047-6050 (2016). [http://hdl.handle.net/10481/47256] 0020-1669 http://hdl.handle.net/10481/47256 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b00547 eng open access American Chemical Society