Advancing the fundamental understanding and practical applications of photo-bioelectrocatalysis. Issue 61 (24th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grattieri, Matteo; Beaver, Kevin; Gaffney, Erin M.; Dong, Fangyuan; Minteer, Shelley D.
• Is Part Of: Chemical communications. Volume 56:Issue 61(2020)
• Page Start: 8553
• Page End: 8568
• Publication Date: 2020-06-24
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/d0cc02672g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-7345

Abstract

Abstract : Combination of electrochemical methods, quantum mechanical calculations, bioinformatics, and bioengineering allows understanding the photoexcited electron transfer process and set the basis for artificially tuning photo-bioelectrocatalysis. Abstract : Photo-bioelectrocatalysis combines the natural and highly sophisticated process of photosynthesis in biological entities with an abiotic electrode surface, to perform semi-artificial photosynthesis. However, challenges must be overcome, from the establishment and understanding of the photoexcited electron harvesting process at the electrode to the electrochemical characterization of these biotic/abiotic systems, and their subsequent tuning for enhancing energy generation (chemical and/or electrical). This Feature Article discusses the various approaches utilized to tackle these challenges, particularly focusing on powerful multi-disciplinary approaches for understanding and improving photo-bioelectrocatalysis. Among them is the combination of experimental evidence and quantum mechanical calculations, the use of bioinformatics to understand photo-bioelectrocatalysis at a metabolic level, or bioengineering to improve and facilitate photo-bioelectrocatalysis. Key aspects for the future development of photo-bioelectrocatalysis are presented alongside future research needs and promising applications of semi-artificial photosynthesis.