Photo/Biohybrid Catalytic System for Application in Semiartificial Photosynthesis of CO₂ to Chemicals

Carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology is expected to be one of the key technologies for achieving a carbon-neutral society in the near future. One promising area of CCUS technology is research into artificial photosynthesis mimicking natural photosynthesis. Since natural photosynthesis uses solar energy to produce sugars such as starch and oxygen from CO₂ and water, and has long been regarded as a model for artificial photosynthesis in CO₂ utilization technology. Among various studies on artificial photosynthesis, semiartificial photosynthesis technology hybridizing biocatalysts and photocatalysts is attracting attention for CO₂ utilization. Semiartificial photosynthesis overcomes the limitations of natural photosynthesis by combining synthetic photosensitizers and biocatalysts to construct reaction systems with unique properties. To develop semiartificial photosynthesis, visible light-driven NADH regeneration, ATP regeneration, and biocatalysts for CO₂ utilization are essential components. This review provides a survey of relevant biocatalysts for visible light-driven NADH regeneration, ATP regeneration, and CO₂ utilization from the past to the present, and introduces the history of research into semiartificial photosynthesis for CO₂ or NH₃ fixation derived from these findings.