Cd1-xZnxS biomineralized by engineered bacterium for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, Tianfeng; Liang, Jun; Wang, Lin; Zheng, Zhaohui; Wang, Jiahong; Xing, Xiwen; Tang, Hongting; Zeng, Cuiping; Wang, Bo
• Is Part Of: Materials today energy. Volume 22(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Cd1-xZnxS photocatalyst -- Surface-display -- H2 production -- Tunable bandgap; Energy development -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Energy development; Energy industries; Energy policy; Power resources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2021.100869
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-6069

Abstract

Abstract: The biomineralization process endows living microorganisms the ability to synthesize various inorganic nanomaterials with low cost, less environmental contamination, and good physicochemical properties. However, biosynthesis of band structure tunable photocatalysts is less investigated compared with traditional chemical synthesis methods. In this study, through varying the ratios of Zn 2+ /Cd 2+ in the bacterial culture medium, a series of Zn-dopped CdS (Cd1-x Znx S) photocatalysts with various band structures are synthesized by engineered Escherichia coli with a surface-displayed biomineralization system. The bacterial-synthesized Cd1-x Znx S has an average particle size of <50 nm and are deposited on the bacterial cell surface. Through this strategy, significantly increased material loading is achieved. Under simulated sunlight, the biomineralized Cd1-x Znx S with a 0.044 molar ratio of Zn/Cd shows the highest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate (1, 146 μmol/h/g), which is even better than that of the many chemically synthesized Cd1-x Znx S. Overall, biomineralizing heavy metal ions into band structure tunable photocatalysts via bacterial surface-display strategy is a promising approach to synthesize a series of band structure tunable nanomaterials for both energy conversion and environmental remediation purposes. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Cd1-x Znx S with controllable band structures are synthesized by engineered bacterium. Biomineralization process is performed on a surface-displayed PbrR protein. Cd0.96 Zn0.04 S shows the highest photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate. Material loading capability is increased comparing with traditional biosynthesis method.