Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
10:21
Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
9.1K
Aqueous light driven hydrogen production by a Ru-ferredoxin-Co biohybrid
S R Soltau1, J Niklas, P D Dahlberg
1Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA. utschig@anl.gov.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|June 9, 2015
Summary
We developed a novel biohybrid system for solar fuel production. This system uses ferredoxin to link a photosensitizer and catalyst, enabling efficient light-driven hydrogen gas generation.
Area of Science:
- Bioinorganic Chemistry
- Photocatalysis
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Developing efficient artificial photosynthesis systems is crucial for renewable energy.
- Electron transfer proteins offer unique scaffolds for integrating catalytic components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a novel biohybrid system for light-driven hydrogen production.
- To utilize ferredoxin as a scaffold for a photosensitizer and catalyst.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a biohybrid system with a ruthenium photosensitizer and cobaloxime catalyst integrated onto a ferredoxin scaffold.
- Employed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and transient optical spectroscopy to characterize the system.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the formation of a long-lived charge-separated state (Ru(III)-Fd-Co(I)) exceeding 1.5 ms.
- Confirmed electron relay through the ferredoxin [2Fe-2S] cluster initiating the catalytic cycle.
Conclusions:
- The novel biohybrid effectively facilitates light-driven hydrogen production.
- The ferredoxin scaffold enables efficient charge separation and catalysis for solar fuel generation.
![Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F55858.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Related Concept Videos
01:30Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
1.8K
Anoxygenic photosynthesis is a phototrophic process that captures light energy to drive carbon fixation without producing molecular oxygen. Unlike oxygenic photosynthesis, which utilizes water as an electron donor and releases oxygen, anoxygenic phototrophs use alternative electron donors such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), elemental sulfur (S⁰), or thiosulfate (S₂O₃²⁻). This process is carried out by diverse groups of bacteria, including purple bacteria, green...
1.8K
01:34The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis
15.5K
The light reactions of photosynthesis assume a linear flow of electrons from water to NADP+. During this process, light energy drives the splitting of water molecules to produce oxygen. However, oxidation of water molecules is a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction and requires a strong oxidizing agent. This is accomplished by the first product of light reactions: oxidized P680 (or P680+), the most powerful oxidizing agent known in biology. The oxidized P680 that acquires an electron from the...
15.5K
01:26Oxygenic Photosynthesis
1.0K
Oxygenic photosynthesis is a fundamental process in which light energy is harnessed to drive the oxidation of water, leading to the production of molecular oxygen (O₂), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). This process is essential for sustaining aerobic life on Earth and is primarily carried out by cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. The core of oxygenic photosynthesis lies in the thylakoid membranes, where chlorophyll pigments facilitate...
1.0K
01:43Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV
9.8K
During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...
9.8K
01:27Photosystem I
72.0K
Although structurally similar to photosystem II (PSII), photosystem I (PSI) is has a different electron supplier and electron acceptor.
Both these photosystems work in concert. An excited electron from PSII is relayed to PSI via an electron transport chain in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast, which is comprised of the carrier molecule plastoquinone, the dual-protein cytochrome complex, and plastocyanin. As electrons move between PSII and PSI, they lose energy and must be re-energized...
Both these photosystems work in concert. An excited electron from PSII is relayed to PSI via an electron transport chain in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast, which is comprised of the carrier molecule plastoquinone, the dual-protein cytochrome complex, and plastocyanin. As electrons move between PSII and PSI, they lose energy and must be re-energized...
72.0K
03:12Batteries and Fuel Cells
32.1K
A battery is a galvanic cell that is used as a source of electrical power for specific applications. Modern batteries exist in a multitude of forms to accommodate various applications, from tiny button batteries such as those that power wristwatches to the very large batteries used to supply backup energy to municipal power grids. Some batteries are designed for single-use applications and cannot be recharged (primary cells), while others are based on conveniently reversible cell reactions that...
32.1K