A multi-heme flavoenzyme as a solar conversion catalyst

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Sep 17;136(37):12876-9. doi: 10.1021/ja507733j. Epub 2014 Sep 9.

Abstract

The enzyme flavocytochrome c3 (fcc3), which catalyzes hydrogenation across a C═C double bond (fumarate to succinate), is used to carry out the fuel-forming reaction in an artificial photosynthesis system. When immobilized on dye-sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles, fcc3 catalyzes visible-light-driven succinate production in aqueous suspension. Solar-to-chemical conversion using neutral water as the oxidant is achieved with a photoelectrochemical cell comprising an fcc3-modified indium tin oxide cathode linked to a cobalt phosphate-modified BiVO4 photoanode. The results reinforce new directions in the area of artificial photosynthesis, in particular for solar-energy-driven synthesis of organic chemicals and commodities, moving away from simple fuels as target molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry*
  • Cytochrome c Group / metabolism*
  • Electrodes
  • Enzymes, Immobilized / metabolism*
  • Light
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Photosynthesis
  • Shewanella putrefaciens / enzymology*
  • Solar Energy*
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Succinic Acid / metabolism
  • Tin Compounds / chemistry
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Cytochrome c Group
  • Enzymes, Immobilized
  • Tin Compounds
  • Water
  • titanium dioxide
  • indium tin oxide
  • Succinic Acid
  • Titanium
  • flavocytochrome c3
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase