A Cluster-nanozyme-coenzyme System Mimicking Natural Photosynthesis for CO Reduction Under Intermittent Light Irradiation

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2024 Oct 19

PMID 39426964

Authors

Xiaofeng Cui

Hui Bai

Jun Zhang

Rong Liu

Haiyan Yu

Yangxiang Wang

Tingting Kong

Mei-Yan Gao

Zhou Lu

Yujie Xiong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Natural photosynthesis utilizes solar energy to convert water and atmospheric CO 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 Cu cluster and cobalt terpyridine complex, that mimics natural photosynthesis through precise integration of nanozyme complexes and ubiquinone (coenzyme Q) on Cu clusters. This biomimetic system efficiently reduces CO to CO in light reaction, achieving a production rate of 740.7 μmol·g·h 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.

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