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A cluster-nanozyme-coenzyme system mimicking natural photosynthesis for CO2 reduction under intermittent light irradiation

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posted on 2025-01-30, 12:27 authored by Xiaofeng Cui, Hui Bai, Jun Zhang, Rong Liu, Haiyan Yu, Yangxiang Wang, Tingting Kong, Mei-Yan GaoMei-Yan Gao, Zhou Lu, Yujie Xiong

Natural photosynthesis utilizes solar energy to convert water and atmospheric CO2 into carbohydrates through all-weather light/dark reactions based on molecule-based enzymes and coenzymes, inspiring extensive development of artificial photosynthesis. However, development of efficient artificial photosynthetic systems free of noble metals, as well as rational integration of functional units into a single system at the molecular level, remain challenging. Here we report an artificial system, the assembly system of Cu6 cluster and cobalt terpyridine complex, that mimics natural photosynthesis through precise integration of nanozyme complexes and ubiquinone (coenzyme Q) on Cu6 clusters. This biomimetic system efficiently reduces CO2 to CO in light reaction, achieving a production rate of 740.7 μmol·g−1 ·h−1 with high durability for at least 188 hours. Notably, our system realizes the decoupling of light and dark reactions, utilizing the phenol-evolutive coenzyme Q acting as an electron reservoir. By regulating the stabilizer of coenzyme Q, the dark reaction time can be extended up to 8.5 hours, which fully meets the natural day/night cycle requirements. Our findings advance the molecular design of artificial systems that replicate the comprehensive functions of natural photosynthesis.

History

Publication

Nature Communications, 2024, 15, 9048

Publisher

Nature Research

Other Funding information

This work was supported by financial support in part by NSFC (22472003, 52261135635, U23A2091, 91961106, 51902253, 21725102 and 22073001), Shaanxi Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2020JQ-778) and University Annual Scientific Research Plan of Anhui Province (2022AH010013)

Also affiliated with

  • Bernal Institute

Sustainable development goals

  • (7) Affordable and Clean Energy
  • (13) Climate Action

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