In situ cofactor regeneration enables selective CO2 reduction in a stable and efficient enzymatic photoelectrochemical cell

Mimicking natural photosynthesis by direct photoelectrochemical (PEC) reduction of CO2 to chemicals and fuels requires complex cell assemblies with limitations in selectivity, efficiency, cost, and stability. Here, we present a breakthrough cathode utilizing an oxygen tolerant formate dehydrogenase enzyme derived from clostridium carboxidivorans and coupled to a novel and efficient in situ nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) regeneration mechanism through interfacial electrochemistry on g-C3N4 films. We demonstrate stable (20 h) aerobic PEC CO2-to-formate reduction at close to 100 % faradaic efficiency and unit selectivity in a bio-hybrid PEC cell of minimal engineering with optimized Ta3N5 nanotube photoanode powered by simulated sunlight with a solar to fuel efficiency of 0.063 %, approaching that of natural photosynthesis.

Automated summary

This study achieved stable and efficient reduction of CO2 to formate in a bio-hybrid PEC cell using a novel cathode and efficient regeneration mechanism, approaching the efficiency of natural photosynthesis.