Photoelectrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol through a Highly Efficient Enzyme Cascade

Natural photosynthesis is an effective route for the clean and sustainable conversion of CO₂ into high‐energy chemicals. Inspired by the natural process, a tandem photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell with an integrated enzyme‐cascade (TPIEC) system was designed, which transfers photogenerated electrons to a multienzyme cascade for the biocatalyzed reduction of CO₂ to methanol. A hematite photoanode and a bismuth ferrite photocathode were applied to fabricate the iron oxide based tandem PEC cell for visible‐light‐assisted regeneration of the nicotinamide cofactor (NADH). The cell utilized water as an electron donor and spontaneously regenerated NADH. To complete the TPIEC system, a superior three‐dehydrogenase cascade system was employed in the cathodic part of the PEC cell. Under applied bias, the TPIEC system achieved a high methanol conversion output of 220 μm h⁻¹, 1280 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ using readily available solar energy and water.     

Investigation of Structural Evolution of SnO2 Nanosheets towards Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

In‐depth understanding of the catalytic active sites is of paramount importance for the design of efficient electrocatalysts for CO₂ conversion. Here we highlight the structural evolution of SnO₂ nanosheets for electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction. The transformation of SnO₂ into metallic Sn would occur on the surface of catalyst during the catalytic process, followed by enhanced selectivity and activity for the conversion of CO₂ to HCOOH. Electrocatalytic characterization and structural analysis demonstrate that the metallic Sn derived from structural evolution plays a dominant role in the CO₂ reduction to HCOOH. This work deepens the understanding of the catalytic mechanism and provides a new pathway for the rational design of advanced electrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction.     

Semiconductor/Covalent-Organic-Framework Z-Scheme Heterojunctions for Artificial Photosynthesis

A strategy to covalently connect crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with semiconductors to create stable organic–inorganic Z-scheme heterojunctions for artificial photosynthesis is presented. A series of COF–semiconductor Z-scheme photocatalysts combining water-oxidation semiconductors (TiO₂, Bi₂WO₆, and α-Fe₂O₃) with CO₂ reduction COFs (COF-316/318) was synthesized and exhibited high photocatalytic CO₂-to-CO conversion efficiencies (up to 69.67 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹), with H₂O as the electron donor in the gas–solid CO₂ reduction, without additional photosensitizers and sacrificial agents. This is the first report of covalently bonded COF/inorganic-semiconductor systems utilizing the Z-scheme applied for artificial photosynthesis. Experiments and calculations confirmed efficient semiconductor-to-COF electron transfer by covalent coupling, resulting in electron accumulation in the cyano/pyridine moieties of the COF for CO₂ reduction and holes in the semiconductor for H₂O oxidation, thus mimicking natural photosynthesis.     

Interfacing Formate Dehydrogenase with Metal Oxides for the Reversible Electrocatalysis and Solar‐Driven Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

The integration of enzymes with synthetic materials allows efficient electrocatalysis and production of solar fuels. Here, we couple formate dehydrogenase ( FDH ) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH) to metal oxides for catalytic CO₂ reduction and report an in‐depth study of the resulting enzyme–material interface. Protein film voltammetry (PFV) demonstrates the stable binding of FDH on metal‐oxide electrodes and reveals the reversible and selective reduction of CO₂ to formate. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR‐IR) spectroscopy confirm a high binding affinity for FDH to the TiO₂ surface. Adsorption of FDH on dye‐sensitized TiO₂ allows for visible‐light‐driven CO₂ reduction to formate in the absence of a soluble redox mediator with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 11±1 s^?1. The strong coupling of the enzyme to the semiconductor gives rise to a new benchmark in the selective photoreduction of aqueous CO₂ to formate.     

Semiconductor/Covalent‐Organic‐Framework Z‐Scheme Heterojunctions for Artificial Photosynthesis

A strategy to covalently connect crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with semiconductors to create stable organic–inorganic Z‐scheme heterojunctions for artificial photosynthesis is presented. A series of COF–semiconductor Z‐scheme photocatalysts combining water‐oxidation semiconductors (TiO₂, Bi₂WO₆, and α‐Fe₂O₃) with CO₂ reduction COFs (COF‐316/318) was synthesized and exhibited high photocatalytic CO₂‐to‐CO conversion efficiencies (up to 69.67 μmol g^?1 h^?1), with H₂O as the electron donor in the gas–solid CO₂ reduction, without additional photosensitizers and sacrificial agents. This is the first report of covalently bonded COF/inorganic‐semiconductor systems utilizing the Z‐scheme applied for artificial photosynthesis. Experiments and calculations confirmed efficient semiconductor‐to‐COF electron transfer by covalent coupling, resulting in electron accumulation in the cyano/pyridine moieties of the COF for CO₂ reduction and holes in the semiconductor for H₂O oxidation, thus mimicking natural photosynthesis.     

Selective Generation of Formamides through Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Catalyzed by Ruthenium Carbonyl Compounds

The selective formation of dialkyl formamides through photochemical CO₂ reduction was developed as a means of utilizing CO₂ as a C₁ building block. Photochemical CO₂ reduction catalyzed by a [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)₂]²⁺ (bpy: 2,2′‐bipyridyl)/[Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺/Me₂NH/Me₂NH₂⁺ system in CH₃CN selectively produced dimethylformamide. In this process a ruthenium carbamoyl complex ([Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(CONMe₂)]⁺) formed by the nucleophilic attack of Me₂NH on [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)₂]²⁺ worked as the precursor to DMF. Thus Me₂NH acted as both the sacrificial electron donor and the substrate, while Me₂NH₂⁺ functioned as the proton source. Similar photochemical CO₂ reductions using R₂NH and R₂NH₂⁺ (R=Et, nPr, or nBu) also afforded the corresponding dialkyl formamides (R₂NCHO) together with HCOOH as a by‐product. The main product from the CO₂ reduction transitioned from R₂NCHO to HCOOH with increases in the alkyl chain length of the R₂NH. The selectivity between R₂NCHO and HCOOH was found to depend on the rate of [Ru(bpy)₂(CO)(CONR₂)]⁺ formation.     

Non‐natural Cofactor and Formate‐Driven Reductive Carboxylation of Pyruvate

A non‐natural cofactor and formate driven system for reductive carboxylation of pyruvate is presented. A formate dehydrogenase (FDH) mutant, FDH*, that favors a non‐natural redox cofactor, nicotinamide cytosine dinucleotide (NCD), for generation of a dedicated reducing equivalent at the expense of formate were acquired. By coupling FDH* and NCD‐dependent malic enzyme (ME*), the successful utilization of formate is demonstrated as both CO₂ source and electron donor for reductive carboxylation of pyruvate with a perfect stoichiometry between formate and malate. When ¹³C‐isotope‐labeled formate was used in in vitro trials, up to 53 % of malate had labeled carbon atom. Upon expression of FDH* and ME* in the model host E. coli, the engineered strain produced more malate in the presence of formate and NCD. This work provides an alternative and atom‐economic strategy for CO₂ fixation where formate is used in lieu of CO₂ and offers dedicated reducing power.     

Non-natural Cofactor and Formate-Driven Reductive Carboxylation of Pyruvate

A non-natural cofactor and formate driven system for reductive carboxylation of pyruvate is presented. A formate dehydrogenase (FDH) mutant, FDH*, that favors a non-natural redox cofactor, nicotinamide cytosine dinucleotide (NCD), for generation of a dedicated reducing equivalent at the expense of formate were acquired. By coupling FDH* and NCD-dependent malic enzyme (ME*), the successful utilization of formate is demonstrated as both CO₂ source and electron donor for reductive carboxylation of pyruvate with a perfect stoichiometry between formate and malate. When ¹³C-isotope-labeled formate was used in in vitro trials, up to 53 % of malate had labeled carbon atom. Upon expression of FDH* and ME* in the model host E. coli, the engineered strain produced more malate in the presence of formate and NCD. This work provides an alternative and atom-economic strategy for CO₂ fixation where formate is used in lieu of CO₂ and offers dedicated reducing power.     

Integrated Bismuth Oxide Ultrathin Nanosheets/Carbon Foam Electrode for Highly Selective and Energy-Efficient Electrocatalytic Conversion of CO2 to HCOOH

Electroreduction of CO₂ into formic acid (HCOOH) is of particular interest as a hydrogen carrier and chemical feedstock. However, its conversion is limited by a high overpotential and low stability due to undesirable catalysts and electrode design. Herein, an integrated 3D bismuth oxide ultrathin nanosheets/carbon foam electrode is designed by a sponge effect and N-atom anchor for energy-efficient and selective electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ to HCOOH for the first time. Benefitting from the unique 3D array foam architecture for highly efficient mass transfer, and optimized exposed active sites, as confirmed by density functional theory calculations, the integrated electrode achieves high electrocatalytic performance, including superior partial current density and faradaic efficiency (up to 94.1 %) at a moderate overpotential as well as a high energy conversion efficiency of 60.3 % and long-term durability.     

Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction with a Half‐Sandwich Cobalt Catalyst: Selectivity towards CO

We present herein a Cp*Co(III)‐half‐sandwich catalyst system for electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction in aqueous acetonitrile solution. In addition to an electron‐donating Cp* ligand (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), the catalyst featured a proton‐responsive pyridyl‐benzimidazole‐based N,N‐bidentate ligand. Owing to the presence of a relatively electron‐rich Co center, the reduced Co(I)‐state was made prone to activate the electrophilic carbon center of CO₂. At the same time, the proton‐responsive benzimidazole scaffold was susceptible to facilitate proton‐transfer during the subsequent reduction of CO₂. The above factors rendered the present catalyst active toward producing CO as the major product over the other potential 2e/2H⁺ reduced product HCOOH, in contrast to the only known similar half‐sandwich CpCo(III)‐based CO₂‐reduction catalysts which produced HCOOH selectively. The system exhibited a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of about 70% while the overpotential for CO production was found to be 0.78 V, as determined by controlled‐potential electrolysis.     

Formate dehydrogenase–viologen-immobilized electrode for CO2 conversion,for development of an artificial photosynthesis system

Formate dehydrogenase (FDH)–viologen with a long alkyl chain (CH₃V(CH₂) _n COOH) immobilized on an indium–tin oxide (ITO) electrode, with the function of reduction of CO₂ to formic acid, was investigated as an artificial photosynthesis device based on CO₂ reduction. The amount of formic acid produced by use of FDH–CH₃V(CH₂) _n COOH immobilized on ITO in CO₂-saturated buffer solution, on application of a potential, as a result of one-electron reduction of viologen, depends on the carbon chain length of CH₃V(CH₂) _n COOH. When a CH₃V(CH₂)₉COOH–FDH/ITO electrode was used, production of formic acid was estimated to be 23 μmol after 3 h.     

Hydride Pinning Pathway in the Hydrogenation of CO2 to Formic Acid on Dimeric Tin Dioxide

Capture of CO₂ and its conversion into organic feedstocks are increasingly needed as society moves towards a renewable energy economy. Here, a hydride-assisted selective reduction pathway is proposed for the conversion of CO₂ to formic acid (FA) over SnO₂ monomers and dimers. Our density functional theory calculations infer a strong chemisorption of CO₂ on SnO₂ clusters forming a carbonate structure, whereas heterolytic cleavage of H₂ provides a new pathway for the selective reduction of CO₂ to formic acid at low overpotential. Among the two investigated pathways for reduction of CO₂ to HCOOH, the hydride pinning pathway is found promising with a unique selectivity for HCOOH. The negatively-charged hydride forms on the cluster during the dissociation of H₂ and facilitates the formation of a formate intermediate, which determines the selectivity for FA over the alternative CO and H₂ evolution reaction. It is confirmed that SnO₂ clusters exhibit a different catalytic behaviour from their surface equivalents, thus offering promise for future work investigating the reduction of CO₂ to FA via a hydride pinning pathway at low overpotential and CO₂ capturing.     

Studies on Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction over NH2‐Uio‐66(Zr) and Its Derivatives: Towards a Better Understanding of Photocatalysis on Metal–Organic Frameworks

Metal–organic framework (MOF) NH₂‐Uio‐66(Zr) exhibits photocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction in the presence of triethanolamine as sacrificial agent under visible‐light irradiation. Photoinduced electron transfer from the excited 2‐aminoterephthalate (ATA) to Zr oxo clusters in NH₂‐Uio‐66(Zr) was for the first time revealed by photoluminescence studies. Generation of Zr^III and its involvement in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction was confirmed by ESR analysis. Moreover, NH₂‐Uio‐66(Zr) with mixed ATA and 2,5‐diaminoterephthalate (DTA) ligands was prepared and shown to exhibit higher performance for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction due to its enhanced light adsorption and increased adsorption of CO₂. This study provides a better understanding of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction over MOF‐based photocatalysts and also demonstrates the great potential of using MOFs as highly stable, molecularly tunable, and recyclable photocatalysts in CO₂ reduction.     

Reduced SnO2 Porous Nanowires with a High Density of Grain Boundaries as Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical CO2‐into‐HCOOH Conversion

Electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into energy‐dense liquids, such as formic acid, is desirable as a hydrogen carrier and a chemical feedstock. SnO_x is one of the few catalysts that reduce CO₂ into formic acid with high selectivity but at high overpotential and low current density. We show that an electrochemically reduced SnO₂ porous nanowire catalyst (Sn‐pNWs) with a high density of grain boundaries (GBs) exhibits an energy conversion efficiency of CO₂‐into‐HCOOH higher than analogous catalysts. HCOOH formation begins at lower overpotential (350 mV) and reaches a steady Faradaic efficiency of ca. 80 % at only −0.8 V vs. RHE. A comparison with commercial SnO₂ nanoparticles confirms that the improved CO₂ reduction performance of Sn‐pNWs is due to the density of GBs within the porous structure, which introduce new catalytically active sites. Produced with a scalable plasma synthesis technology, the catalysts have potential for application in the CO₂ conversion industry.     

Promoting electrochemical conversion of CO2 to formate with rich oxygen vacancies in nanoporous tin oxides

Defect engineering, especially oxygen vacancies (O-vacancies) introduction into metal oxide materials has been proved to be an effective strategy to manipulate their surface electron exchange processes. However, quantitative investigation of O-vacancies on CO₂ electroreduction still remains rather ambiguous. Herein, a series of nanoporous tin oxide (SnO_x) materials have been prepared by thermal treatment at various temperatures and reaction conditions. The annealing temperature dependent O-vacancies property of the SnOx was revealed and attributed to the balance tunning of the desorption of oxygen species and the continous oxidation of SnO_x. The as-prepared nanoporous SnO_x with 300 °C treatment was found to be highest O-vacant material and showed an impressive CO₂RR activity and selectivity towards the conversion of CO₂ into formic acid (up to 88.6%), and superior HCOOH incomplete current density to other samples. The ideal performance of the O-vacancies rich SnO_x-300 material can be ascribed to the high delocalized electron density inducing much enhanced adsorption of CO₂ with O binding and benefiting the subsequent reduction with high selectively forming of formic acid.     

Efficient Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to HCOOH over Sub‐2 nm SnO2 Quantum Wires with Exposed Grain Boundaries

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ could mitigate environmental problems originating from CO₂ emission. Although grain boundaries (GBs) have been tailored to tune binding energies of reaction intermediates and consequently accelerate the CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), it is challenging to exclusively clarify the correlation between GBs and enhanced reactivity in nanostructured materials with small dimension (<10 nm). Now, sub‐2 nm SnO₂ quantum wires (QWs) composed of individual quantum dots (QDs) and numerous GBs on the surface were synthesized and examined for CO₂RR toward HCOOH formation. In contrast to SnO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with a larger electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), the ultrathin SnO₂ QWs with exposed GBs show enhanced current density (j), an improved Faradaic efficiency (FE) of over 80 % for HCOOH and ca. 90 % for C1 products as well as energy efficiency (EE) of over 50 % in a wide potential window; maximum values of FE (87.3 %) and EE (52.7 %) are achieved.     

Creating a Low‐Potential Redox Polymer for Efficient Electroenzymatic CO2 Reduction

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions have resulted in greater motivation to find novel carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction technologies, where the reduction of CO₂ to valuable chemical commodities is desirable. Molybdenum‐dependent formate dehydrogenase (Mo‐FDH) from Escherichia coli is a metalloenzyme that is able to interconvert formate and CO₂. We describe a low‐potential redox polymer, synthesized by a facile method, that contains cobaltocene (grafted to poly(allylamine), Cc‐PAA) to simultaneously mediate electrons to Mo‐FDH and immobilize Mo‐FDH at the surface of a carbon electrode. The resulting bioelectrode reduces CO₂ to formate with a high Faradaic efficiency of 99±5 % at a mild applied potential of ?0.66 V vs. SHE.     

Selective electroreduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid on electrodeposited SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>@N-doped porous carbon catalysts

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ is a promising route for energy storage and utilization. Herein we synthesized SnO₂ nanosheets and supported them on N-doped porous carbon (N-PC) by electrodeposition for the first time. The SnO₂ and N-PC in the SnO₂@N-PC composites had exellent synergistic effect for electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to HCOOH. The Faradaic efficiency of HCOOH could be as high as 94.1% with a current density of 28.4 mA cm^?2 in ionic liquid-MeCN system. The reaction mechanism was proposed on the basis of some control experiments. This work opens a new way to prepare composite electrode for electrochemical reduction of CO₂.     

A Bismuth-Based Zeolitic Organic Framework with Coordination-Linked Metal Cages for Efficient Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to HCOOH

Zeolitic metal–organic frameworks (ZMOFs) have emerged as one of the most promsing catalysts for energy conversion, but they suffer from either weak bonding between metal-organic cubes (MOCs) that decrease their stability during catalysis processes or low activity due to inadequate active sites. In this work, through ligand-directing strategy, we successfully obtain an unprecedented bismuth-based ZMOF (Bi-ZMOF) featuring a ACO topological crystal structure with strong coordination bonding between the Bi-based cages. As a result, it enables efficient reduction of CO₂ to formic acid (HCOOH) with Faradaic efficiency as high as 91 %. A combination of in situ surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory calculation reveals that the Bi−N coordination contributes to facilitating charge transfer from N to Bi atoms, which stabilize the intermediate to boost the reduction efficiency of CO₂ to HCOOH. This finding highlights the importance of the coordination environment of metal active sites on electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction. We believe that this work will offer a new clue to rationally design zeolitic MOFs for catalytic reaction     

Efficient Reduction of CO2 into Formic Acid on a Lead or Tin Electrode using an Ionic Liquid Catholyte Mixture

Highly efficient electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into value‐added chemicals using cheap and easily prepared electrodes is environmentally and economically compelling. The first work on the electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ in ternary electrolytes containing ionic liquid, organic solvent, and H₂O is described. Addition of a small amount of H₂O to an ionic liquid/acetonitrile electrolyte mixture significantly enhanced the efficiency of the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into formic acid (HCOOH) on a Pb or Sn electrode, and the efficiency was extremely high using an ionic liquid/acetonitrile/H₂O ternary mixture. The partial current density for HCOOH reached 37.6 mA cm^?2 at a Faradaic efficiency of 91.6 %, which is much higher than all values reported to date for this reaction, including those using homogeneous and noble metal electrocatalysts. The reasons for such high efficiency were investigated using controlled experiments.