Integrated enzyme-photocatalysis system for carbon dioxide conversion

Abstract

As is well known, solar radiation is the primary energy source on the earth. Green plants/microorganisms have evolved efficient photosystems to convert CO2 into carbohydrates through accurately regulating the photosynthesis process, i.e. , the photoelectrocatalytic process and multienzyme catalytic process. Inspired by photosynthesis, integrated enzyme-photocatalysis systems are constructed to convert CO2 for balancing the carbon cycle, which is negatively influenced by the excessive burning of fossil fuels. From technological viewpoint, the biggest merit of this system should be that the incorporation of photocatalysis could offer electrons and energy to the enzyme catalysis, thus ensuring the efficient and sustainable conversion of CO2. The facile construction process and controllable product diversity confer the enzyme-photocatalysis system with promising potentials in the fields of chemical engineering, energy and environment. In this review, we first provide the state-of-the-art routes for the catalytic conversion of CO2 by single-enzyme systems and multi-enzyme systems. Then, we introduce the cofactor-dependent enzyme-photocatalysis system and cofactor-independent enzyme-photocatalysis system based on the difference in electron transfer routes. Finally, the current development and future perspective of the enzyme-photocatalysis system for the conversion of CO2 are summarized.