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Title: Coupling biology to synthetic nanomaterials for semi-artificial photosynthesis

Journal Article · · Photosynthesis Research

Biohybrid artificial photosynthesis intends to combine the advantages of biological specificity with a range of synthetic nanomaterials to create innovative semi-synthetic systems for solar-to-chemical conversion. Biological systems utilize highly efficient molecular catalysts for reduction-oxidation reactions. They can operate with minimal overpotentials while selectively channeling reductant energy into specific transformation chemistries and product forming pathways. Nanomaterials can be synthesized to have efficient light-absorption capacity and tuneability of charge separation by manipulation of surface chemistries and bulk compositions. These complementary aspects have been combined in a variety of ways, for example, where biological light-harvesting complexes function as antenna for nanoparticle catalysts or where nanoparticles function as light capture, charge separation components for coupling to chemical conversion by redox enzymes and whole cells. The synthetic diversity that is possible with biohybrids is still being explored. The progress emerging from creative approaches is generating new model systems to inspire scale-up technologies and generate understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that control energy conversion at the molecular scale. These attempts are leading to discoveries of essential design principles that can enable the development of scalable artificial photosynthesis systems.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1573197
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-2700-74561
Journal Information:
Photosynthesis Research, Vol. 143, Issue 2; ISSN 0166-8595
Publisher:
SpringerCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 16 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Figures / Tables (4)