Abstract:
Photosynthesis is the primary route from which solar energy is harnessed to fuel 99% of the life on Earth. Underlying this important process are impressive machineries that convert Earth-abundant resources (sunlight, water and carbon dioxide) into complex chemicals. We now have the capability to tap into the photosynthetic electron transport chain in vivo and harness its electrons for alternative energy conversion technologies.1, 2 However, enormous hurdles remain when wiring photosynthetic components to electrodes compared to the wiring of molecular catalysts or enzymes.3 Here, I will talk about how photosynthesis can be wired to electrodes – from purified proteins to living whole cells; what we can gain from doing this; and what are the future possibilities using this approach.
1.Zhang, J. Z.; Reisner, E., Nature Rev. Chem. 2020, 4 (1), 6-21.
2.Zhang, J. Z.; Bombelli, P.; Sokol, K. P.; Fantuzzi, A.; Rutherford, A.
W.; Howe, C. J.; Reisner, E., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 6-9.
3.Kornienko, N.; Ly, K. H.; Robinson, W. E.; Heidary, N.; Zhang, J. Z.;
Reisner, E., Acc. Chem. Res. 2019, 52 (5), 1439-1448.
