Solar Fuel Production Based on the Artificial Photosynthesis System

No competitive inhibition of bicarbonate or carbonate for formate dehydrogenase from Candida boidinii -catalyzed CO2 reduction

Formate dehydrogenase from Candida boidinii (CbFDH) reversibly catalyzes the formate to CO2 with the redox coupling NAD+/NADH. While many studies on CbFDH-catalyzed formate oxidation in the presence of NAD+ are...

Bioinspired Artificial Photosynthetic Systems

Mimicking photosynthesis using artificial systems, as a means for solar energy conversion and green fuel generation, is one of the holy grails of modern science. This perspective presents recent advances towards developing artificial photosynthetic systems. In one approach, native photosystems are interfaced with electrodes to yield photobioelectrochemical cells that transform light energy into electrical power. This is exemplified by interfacing photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) as an electrically contacted assembly mimicking the native Z-scheme, and by the assembly of an electrically wired PSI/glucose oxidase biocatalytic conjugate on an electrode support. Illumination of the functionalized electrodes led to light-induced generation of electrical power, or to the generation of photocurrents using glucose as the fuel. The second approach introduces supramolecular photosensitizer nucleic acid/electron acceptor complexes as functional modules for effective photoinduced electron transfer stimulating the subsequent biocatalyzed generation of NADPH or the Pt-nanoparticle-catalyzed evolution of molecular hydrogen. Application of the DNA machineries for scaling-up the photosystems is demonstrated. A third approach presents the integration of artificial photosynthetic modules into dynamic nucleic acid networks undergoing reversible reconfiguration or dissipative transient operation in the presence of auxiliary triggers. Control over photoinduced electron transfer reactions and photosynthetic transformations by means of the dynamic networks is demonstrated.

P-Type AsP Nanosheet as an Electron Donor for Stable Solar Broad-Spectrum Hydrogen Evolution

Although research progress on mimicking natural photosynthesis for solar-to-fuel conversion has been continuously made, exploring broadband spectral-responsive materials with suitable band positions and high stability still remains a huge challenge. Herein, we, for the first time, report novel AsP nanosheets (NSs) with P-type semiconducting property and enough negative conduction band, which can work as a stable near-infrared (NIR) region-responsive electron donor for water reductive hydrogen (H₂) production. To mimic photosystem I, Au nanorods (NRs) act as electron transport media, which are also responsible for the enhanced electric field nearby, and 1T-MoS₂ NSs as a hydrogen evolution catalyst are orderly coupled with AsP NSs with a sheet-rod-sheet structure by electrostatic self-assembly. The cascaded band level alignment enables unidirectional electron flow from AsP to Au and then to MoS₂, and the optimum H₂ production rate of the MoS₂-Au-AsP ternary heterojunction reaches 125.52 μmol g^-1 h^-1 with good stability even after being stored for several months under light irradiation with a wavelength longer than 700 nm. This work provides a platform that is energetically tailored to drive a solar broad-spectrum fuel generation, including CO₂ reduction and N₂ fixation.

The challenges of using NAD+-dependent formate dehydrogenases for CO2 conversion

In recent years, CO₂ reduction and utilization have been proposed as an innovative solution for global warming and the ever-growing energy and raw material demands. In contrast to various classical methods, including chemical, electrochemical, and photochemical methods, enzymatic methods offer a green and sustainable option for CO₂ conversion. In addition, enzymatic hydrogenation of CO₂ into platform chemicals could be used to produce economically useful hydrogen storage materials, making it a win-win strategy. The thermodynamic and kinetic stability of the CO₂ molecule makes its utilization a challenging task. However, Nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent formate dehydrogenases (FDHs), which have high selectivity and specificity, are attractive catalysts to overcome this issue and convert CO₂ into fuels and renewable chemicals. It is necessary to improve the stability, cofactor necessity, and CO₂ conversion efficiency of these enzymes, such as by combining them with appropriate hybrid systems. However, metal-independent, NAD⁺-dependent FDHs, and their CO₂ reduction activity have received limited attention to date. This review outlines the CO₂ reduction ability of these enzymes as well as their properties, reaction mechanisms, immobilization strategies, and integration with electrochemical and photochemical systems for the production of formic acid or formate. The biotechnological applications of FDH, future perspectives, barriers to CO₂ reduction with FDH, and aspects that must be further developed are briefly summarized. We propose that constructing hybrid systems that include NAD⁺-dependent FDHs is a promising approach to convert CO₂ and strengthen the sustainable carbon bio-economy.

Cationic poly-l-amino acid-enhanced selective hydrogen production based on formate decomposition with platinum nanoparticles dispersed by polyvinylpyrrolidone

By using platinum nanoparticles dispersed by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and cationic poly-l-amino acid, poly(l-lysine) (PLL) (Pt-PVP/PLL), highly selective H₂ production based on formate decomposition was achieved about 1.8 times compared to Pt-PVP in a low pH region (pH = 1.8).

Porous framework-based hybrid materials for solar-to-chemical energy conversion: from powder photocatalysts to photoelectrodes

Porous framework materials such as metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can be considered promising materials for solar-to-chemical energy conversion.

Visible-light driven reduction of CO2 to formate by a water-soluble zinc porphyrin and formate dehydrogenase system with electron-mediated amino and carbamoyl group-modified viologen

Visible-light-driven CO₂ reduction to formate with a system consisting of water-soluble zinc porphyrin, formate dehydrogenase from Candida boidinii and 1-amino-1′-carbamoyl-4,4′-bipyridinium salt as an electron mediator in the presence of triethanolamine was developed.

Rational design of artificial redox-mediating systems toward upgrading photobioelectrocatalysis

Photobioelectrocatalysis has recently attracted particular research interest owing to the possibility to achieve sunlight-driven biosynthesis, biosensing, power generation, and other niche applications. However, physiological incompatibilities between biohybrid components lead to poor electrical contact at the biotic-biotic and biotic-abiotic interfaces. Establishing an electrochemical communication between these different interfaces, particularly the biocatalyst-electrode interface, is critical for the performance of the photobioelectrocatalytic system. While different artificial redox mediating approaches spanning across interdisciplinary research fields have been developed in order to electrically wire biohybrid components during bioelectrocatalysis, a systematic understanding on physicochemical modulation of artificial redox mediators is further required. Herein, we review and discuss the use of diffusible redox mediators and redox polymer-based approaches in artificial redox-mediating systems, with a focus on photobioelectrocatalysis. The future possibilities of artificial redox mediator system designs are also discussed within the purview of present needs and existing research breadth.

Coupling natural systems with synthetic chemistry for light-driven enzymatic biocatalysis

Visible light-driven redox reactions have been widely adopted for the production of chemicals to combat energy shortage and global warming. Key elements of such a reaction system include a photosensitizer, a catalyst, and an electron source. In this review, we introduce the small molecules and nanoparticles that are widely used as photosensitizers, as well as the development of a photosensitizer protein that is based on the expansion of genetic code, with a fluorescent protein that is used as a scaffold. Visible light-driven enzymes using proteins as photosensitizers or as catalysts such as carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH), formic acid dehydrogenase (FDH), hydrogenase, nitrogenase, cytochrome P450 BM3, and alkane synthase are then described. CODH can be coupled with photosensitizing nanoparticles to reduce CO₂ to CO, and hydrogenase can produce H₂ using high-energy electrons produced from dye-sensitized nanoparticles. When water-soluble zinc porphyrin is coupled with FDH, visible light drives CO₂ to produce formic acid. Nitrogenase can reduce N₂ to NH₃ using CdS nanoparticle as photosensitizer. Cytochrome P450 BM3 can be enhanced by a visible light-driven redox system and thus by hydroxylate lauric acid or fatty acids. CvFAP, an alkane synthase, can decarboxylate palmitic acid to pentadecane under blue light excitation. Moreover, we describe a genetically encoded photosensitive protein, which mimics the function of natural photosynthesis and catalyzes the conversion of CO₂ to CO when covalently attached with a Ni-terpyridine complex.

Theoretical study on CO2 reduction catalyzed by formate dehydrogenase using the cation radical of a bipyridinium salt with an ionic substituent as a co-enzyme

Mechanism for formate dehydrogenase from Candida boidinii catalyzed CO₂ reduction to formate with the cation radical of a 4,4′-bipyridinium salt with an ionic substituent as a co-enzyme was clarified by theoretical studies.

Enhancement of catalytic activity for selective hydrogen production from formate with homogeneously poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/cationic poly(l-lysine) dispersed platinum nanoparticles

By using Pt nanoparticles dispersed by polyvinylpyrrolidone and cationic biopolymer, poly(l-lysine) (Pt–PVP/PLL), the highly selective H₂ production based on formate decomposition was accomplished compared with that of Pt–PVP.

Artificial co-enzyme based on carbamoyl-modified viologen derivative cation radical for formate dehydrogenase in the catalytic CO2 reduction to formate

The interaction between the single-electron reduced carbamoyl-modified-4,4-bipyridinium salt and CbFDH in the CO₂ reduction to formate is elucidated by enzymatic kinetic analysis, the docking simulation and density functional theory calculation.

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production: Role of Sacrificial Reagents on the Activity of Oxide, Carbon, and Sulfide Catalysts

Photocatalytic water splitting is a sustainable technology for the production of clean fuel in terms of hydrogen (H2). In the present study, hydrogen (H2) production efficiency of three promising photocatalysts (titania (TiO2-P25), graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and cadmium sulfide (CdS)) was evaluated in detail using various sacrificial agents. The effect of most commonly used sacrificial agents in the recent years, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, lactic acid, glucose, sodium sulfide, sodium sulfite, sodium sulfide/sodium sulfite mixture, and triethanolamine, were evaluated on TiO2-P25, g-C3N4, and CdS. H2 production experiments were carried out under simulated solar light irradiation in an immersion type photo-reactor. All the experiments were performed without any noble metal co-catalyst. Moreover, photolysis experiments were executed to study the H2 generation in the absence of a catalyst. The results were discussed specifically in terms of chemical reactions, pH of the reaction medium, hydroxyl groups, alpha hydrogen, and carbon chain length of sacrificial agents. The results revealed that glucose and glycerol are the most suitable sacrificial agents for an oxide photocatalyst. Triethanolamine is the ideal sacrificial agent for carbon and sulfide photocatalyst. A remarkable amount of H2 was produced from the photolysis of sodium sulfide and sodium sulfide/sodium sulfite mixture without any photocatalyst. The findings of this study would be highly beneficial for the selection of sacrificial agents for a particular photocatalyst.

Visible-light driven hydrogen production using chlorophyll derivatives conjugated with a viologen moiety in the presence of platinum nanoparticles

Effective visible-light driven hydrogen production was accomplished using viologen bonded pyropheophorbide-a in the presence of platinum nanoparticles via the reduction of external methyl viologen.

Visible light-induced reduction system of diphenylviologen derivative with water-soluble porphyrin for biocatalytic carbon–carbon bond formation from CO2

From the view point of green chemistry, CO2 utilization technologies with solar energy including the photoredox system have been received a lot of attention. As one of them, photoredox system containing a photosensitizer and a catalyst catalyzing a reaction of a carbon–carbon bond formation from CO2 as a feed stock were constructed. In a recent study, we reported the visible light-induced malate (C4 compound) production from pyruvate (C3 compound) and CO2 due to carbon–carbon bond formation with the system consisting an electron donor, a photosensitizer, diphenylviologen (PV2+) derivative as an electron mediator in the presence of malic enzyme (ME). However, the interaction between a photosensitizer and PV2+ derivative has not been clarified yet. In this study, water-soluble PV2+ derivative, 1,1′-bis(p-sulfonatophenyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium salt (PSV2+) was synthesized, and its electro-, photochemical properties were evaluated. Moreover, the photoredox properties of PSV2+ with water-soluble Zn porphyrin were studied using fluorescence spectroscopy and steady state irradiation. The fluorescence of Zn porphyrin was quenched by PSV2+ and the two-electron reduced form of PSV2+ were produced with Zn porphyrin with steady state irradiation. In addition, reaction solution containing triethanolamine, tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonate, pyruvate, ME, Mg2+ and PSV2+ in CO2 saturated bis-tris buffer (pH 7.4) was irradiated with visible light, the oxaloacetate and malate were produced. This result indicates that PSV2+ is an efficient electron mediator in the visible light-induced redox system for carbon–carbon bond formation with ME from CO2 as a feedstock.

A Functional Hydrogenase Mimic Chemisorbed onto Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Electrodes: A Strategy towards Water Splitting Devices

A diiron benzenedithiolate hydrogen-evolving catalyst immobilized onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrodes is prepared, characterized, and studied in the context of the development of water splitting devices based on molecular components. FTO was chosen as the preferred electrode material owing to its conductive properties and electrochemical stability. An FTO nanocrystalline layer is also used to greatly improve the surface area of commercially available FTO while preserving the properties of the material. Electrodes bearing a covalently anchored diiron catalyst are shown to be competent for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution from acidic aqueous media at relatively low overpotential (500 mV) with a faradaic efficiency close to unity. Compared with bulk solution catalysts, the catalyst immobilized onto the electrode surface operates at roughly 160 mV lower overpotentials, yet with similar rates.

Activation of the catalytic function of formaldehyde dehydrogenase for formate reduction by single-electron reduced methylviologen

The kinetic properties of formate reduction to formaldehyde with formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FldDH) using single-electron reduced methylviologen (MV˙) as a co-enzyme were clarified.

A visible-light driven electrochemical biofuel cell with the function of CO2conversion to formic acid: coupled thylakoid from microalgae and biocatalyst immobilized electrodes

A new visible-light driven electrochemical biofuel cell consisting of the thylakoid membrane of microalgae immobilized on a TiO₂layer electrode as a photoanode, a formate dehydrogenase/viologen co-immobilized electrode as a cathode, and a CO₂-saturated buffer solution as the redox electrolyte, was developed.

WS2/g-C3N4 composite as an efficient heterojunction photocatalyst for biocatalyzed artificial photosynthesis

A heterogeneous WS₂/g-C₃N₄ composite photocatalyst was prepared by a facile ultrasound-assisted hydrothermal method.

The effect of the functional ionic group of the viologen derivative on visible-light driven CO2 reduction to formic acid with the system consisting of water-soluble zinc porphyrin and formate dehydrogenase

The effect of the functional ionic group of 4,4′-bipyridinium salt on the visible-light driven CO₂ conversion to formic acid with the system consisting of zinc porphyrin and formate dehydrogenase was investigated.

CO2 Photoreduction by Formate Dehydrogenase and a Ru-Complex in a Nanoporous Glass Reactor

In this study, we demonstrated the conversion of CO₂ to formic acid under ambient conditions in a photoreduction nanoporous reactor using a photosensitizer, methyl viologen (MV²⁺), and formate dehydrogenase (FDH). The overall efficiency of this reactor was 14 times higher than that of the equivalent solution. The accumulation rate of formic acid in the nanopores of 50 nm is 83 times faster than that in the equivalent solution. Thus, this CO₂ photoreduction nanoporous glass reactor will be useful as an artificial photosynthesis system that converts CO₂ to fuel.

Zinc porphyrin/fullerene/block copolymer micelle for enhanced electron transfer ability and stability

The complex micelle is constructed through an electrostatic self-assembly strategy as an efficient donor–acceptor system in water with electron transfer ability.

Development of a dye molecule-biocatalyst hybrid system with visible-light induced carbon–carbon bond formation from CO2 as a feedstock

Recently, CO₂ utilization technology, including artificial photosynthesis, has received much attention. In this field, CO₂ is used as a feedstock for fuels, polymers and in other chemical processes. Of note are malic enzymes (MEs) which catalyze the reaction of malic acid to pyruvic acid and CO₂ with the co-enzyme NADP⁺, and catalyze the reverse reaction of pyruvic acid and CO₂ to malic acid with the co-enzyme NADPH. Thus, MEs are also an attractive biocatalyst for carbon–carbon bond formation from CO₂. Studies of the visible light-induced malic acid production from pyruvic acid and CO₂ using an electron donor, a photosensitizer, an electron mediator, ferredoxin-NADP⁺ reductase, NADP⁺, and ME have been reported. However, modification of these systems is required, as they are very complicated. In this study, the visible light-induced carbon–carbon bond formation from pyruvic acid and CO₂ with ME using the photoreduction of 1,1′-diphenyl-4,4′-bipyridinium salt derivatives as a novel electron mediator with water-soluble tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonate (H₂TPPS) in the presence of triethanolamine (TEOA) as an electron donor was developed. When a sample solution containing TEOA, H₂TPPS, 1,1′-diphenyl-4,4′-bipyridinium salt derivative, pyruvic acid, and ME in CO₂-saturated bis–tris buffer was irradiated, the major product was oxaloacetic acid. Thus, a visible light-induced photoredox system for carbon–carbon bond formation from CO₂ with ME using 1,1′-diphenyl-4,4′-bipyridinium salt derivative as an electron mediator was developed.

Roles of adsorption sites in electron transfer from CdS quantum dots to molecular catalyst cobaloxime studied by time-resolved spectroscopy

Electron transfer from CdS quantum dots (QDs) to cobaloxime (Co(dmgH)₂pyCl) is demonstrated by transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS), and further confirmed using photoluminescence (PL) techniques.

Highly active and selective photochemical reduction of CO2 to CO using molecular-defined cyclopentadienone iron complexes

Highly active and selective visible-light-driven CO₂ reduction to CO catalyzed by well-defined cyclopentadienone iron complexes.

Hydrogen energy future with formic acid: a renewable chemical hydrogen storage system

Formic acid, the simplest carboxylic acid, could serve as one of the better fuels for portable devices, vehicles and other energy-related applications in the future.