Beyond Photosynthesis: H2O/H2O2/O2 Self-Circulation-Based Biohybrid Photoelectrochemical Cells for Direct and Sustainable Solar-to-Fuel-to-Electric Power Conversion

Solar-to-fuel conversion followed by secondary utilization in fuel cells provides an appealing approach to alleviating global energy shortages but is largely restricted by the complex design of power systems and the development of functional catalysts. Herein, we presented a biohybrid photoelectrochemical cell (BPEC) to implement sustainable solar-to-fuel-to-electric power conversion in a single compartment, by ingeniously combining reliable photoelectrochemical H2O2 generation with efficient bioelectrochemical H2O2 consumption. Specifically, the BPEC is composed of a Mo-modified BiVO4 (Mo:BiVO4) photoanode and a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/ pyrene-modified 2,2 '-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (bis-Pyr-ABTS)/carbon nanotubes with an encapsulated Co nano particle (Co/CNTs) biocathode. Upon photoexcitation, two-electron H2O oxidation can be carried out at the Mo-BiVO4 photoanode to produce H2O2, followed by electroenzymatic reduction of H2O2 to H2O by HRP with the help of a bis-Pyr-ABTS redox mediator at the biocathode. Besides, in response to the insufficient Faradaic efficiency of H2O2 generation at the photoanode, the functional Co/CNTs catalysts, possessing prominent electrocatalytic selectivity toward two-electron O2 reduction (electron transfer number = 2.6), are modified on the biocathode, thus clearly defining effective H2O/H2O2/O2 self-circulation in this device. This developed BPEC obtains an open-circuit potential of 1.03 +/- 0.02 V and a maximum power density of 0.18 +/- 0.02 mW cm-2. Moreover, inspired by the particular advantage of enzymatic biofuel cells for easy miniaturization, an enclosed sandwich-like BPEC of approximately 1 cm3 size is fabricated and delivers a power output of 0.13 +/- 0.03 mW cm-2. Our work represents a controllable approach for meaningful solar energy utilization, beyond traditional artificial photosynthesis, and can further provide a significant paradigm shift in building an energy-sustainable society.

Automated summary

The development of a biohybrid photoelectrochemical cell combining reliable photoelectrochemical H2O2 generation with bioelectrochemical H2O2 consumption allows for sustainable solar-to-fuel-to-electric power conversion in a single compartment. This approach demonstrates controllable utilization of solar energy and has the potential to significantly impact the development of an energy-sustainable society.