Photosynthetic Water Splitting Research Articles

Unveiling the Low-Lying Spin States of [Fe3S4] Clusters via the Extended Broken-Symmetry Method.

Photosynthetic water splitting, when synergized with hydrogen production catalyzed by hydrogenases, emerges as a promising avenue for clean and renewable energy. However, theoretical calculations have faced challenges in elucidating the low-lying spin states of iron-sulfur clusters, which are integral components of hydrogenases. To address this challenge, we employ the Extended Broken-Symmetry method for the computation of the cubane-[Fe3S4] cluster within the [FeNi] hydrogenase enzyme. This approach rectifies the error caused by spin contamination, allowing us to obtain the magnetic exchange coupling constant and the energy level of the low-lying state. We find that the Extended Broken-Symmetry method provides more accurate results for differences in bond length and the magnetic coupling constant. This accuracy assists in reconstructing the low-spin ground state force and determining the geometric structure of the ground state. By utilizing the Extended Broken-Symmetry method, we further highlight the significance of the geometric arrangement of metal centers in the cluster's properties and gain deeper insights into the magnetic properties of transition metal iron-sulfur clusters at the reaction centers of hydrogenases. This research illuminates the untapped potential of hydrogenases and their promising role in the future of photosynthesis and sustainable energy production.

Bioinspired Water Preorganization in Confined Space for Efficient Water Oxidation Catalysis in Metallosupramolecular Ruthenium Architectures.

ConspectusNature has established a sustainable way to maintain aerobic life on earth by inventing one of the most sophisticated biological processes, namely, natural photosynthesis, which delivers us with organic matter and molecular oxygen derived from the two abundant resources sunlight and water. The thermodynamically demanding photosynthetic water splitting is catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II (OEC-PSII), which comprises a distorted tetramanganese-calcium cluster (CaMn4O5) as catalytic core. As an ubiquitous concept for fine-tuning and regulating the reactivity of the active site of metalloenzymes, the surrounding protein domain creates a sophisticated environment that promotes substrate preorganization through secondary, noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interactions. Based on the high-resolution X-ray structure of PSII, several water channels were identified near the active site, which are filled with extensive hydrogen-bonding networks of preorganized water molecules, connecting the OEC with the protein surface. As an integral part of the outer coordination sphere of natural metalloenzymes, these channels control the substrate and product delivery, carefully regulate the proton flow by promoting pivotal proton-coupled electron transfer processes, and simultaneously stabilize short-lived oxidized intermediates, thus highlighting the importance of an ordered water network for the remarkable efficiency of the natural OEC.Transferring this concept from nature to the engineering of artificial metal catalysts for fuel production has fostered the fascinating field of metallosupramolecular chemistry by generating defined cavities that conceptually mimic enzymatic pockets. However, the application of supramolecular approaches to generate artificial water oxidation catalysts remained scarce prior to our initial reports, since such molecular design strategies for efficient activation of substrate water molecules in confined nanoenvironments were lacking. In this Account, we describe our research efforts on combining the state-of-the art Ru(bda) catalytic framework with structurally programmed ditopic ligands to guide the water oxidation process in defined metallosupramolecular assemblies in spatial proximity. We will elucidate the governing factors that control the quality of hydrogen-bonding water networks in multinuclear cavities of varying sizes and geometries to obtain high-performance, state-of-the-art water oxidation catalysts. Pushing the boundaries of artificial catalyst design, embedding a single catalytic Ru center into a well-defined molecular pocket enabled sophisticated water preorganization in front of the active site through an encoded basic recognition site, resulting in high catalytic rates comparable to those of the natural counterpart OEC-PSII.To fully explore their potential for solar fuel devices, the suitability of our metallosupramolecular assemblies was demonstrated under (electro)chemical and photocatalytic water oxidation conditions. In addition, testing the limits of structural diversity allowed the fabrication of self-assembled linear coordination oligomers as novel photocatalytic materials and long-range ordered covalent organic framework (COF) materials as recyclable and long-term stable solid-state materials for future applications.

Dynamics–Function Correlation in Photosystem II: Molecular Dynamics in Solution

A detailed comprehension of protein function requires information on the spatial structure of the protein, which is often gathered from X-ray crystallography. However, conformational dynamics often also plays an important functional role in proteins and can be directly investigated by complementary quasielastic neutron scattering. A classic example for dynamics–function correlations is Photosystem II, which is a multimeric pigment–protein complex responsible for catalyzing the light-induced photosynthetic water splitting into protons and oxygen. Several functional subprocesses of photosynthetic electron transfer and water splitting are strongly dependent on temperature and hydration, two factors also known to affect protein dynamics. Photosystem II is often investigated in the form of membrane fragments, where the protein complex remains embedded into its native lipid environment. However, experiments on protein function are often carried out in solution state, while direct investigations of molecular dynamics by quasielastic neutron scattering are mainly performed using specifically hydrated membrane fragments only. The present study provides the first quasielastic neutron scattering investigation of the molecular dynamics of Photosystem II membrane fragments (PSIImf) in solution over a wide temperature range from 50 to 300 K. At physiological temperatures above the melting point of water, we observed that the dynamics of PSIImf are significantly activated, leading to larger atomic mean square displacement values compared to those of specifically hydrated membrane stacks. The QENS data can be described by two dynamical components: a fast one, most probably corresponding to methyl group rotation; and a slower one, representing localized conformational dynamics. The latter component could be fitted by a jump-diffusion model at 300 K. The dynamics observed characterize the level of flexibility necessary for the proper PS II functionality under physiological conditions. In contrast, we observe a severe restriction of molecular dynamics upon freezing of the solvent below ~276 K. We associate this unexpected suppression of dynamics with a substantial aggregation of PSIImf caused by ice formation.

The trans-Golgi-localized protein BICAT3 regulates manganese allocation and matrix polysaccharide biosynthesis.

Manganese (Mn2+) is essential for a diversity of processes, including photosynthetic water splitting and the transfer of glycosyl moieties. Various Golgi-localized glycosyltransferases that mediate cell wall matrix polysaccharide biosynthesis are Mn2+ dependent, but the supply of these enzymes with Mn2+ is not well understood. Here, we show that the BIVALENT CATION TRANSPORTER 3 (BICAT3) localizes specifically to trans-cisternae of the Golgi. In agreement with a role in Mn2+ and Ca2+ homeostasis, BICAT3 rescued yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutants defective in their translocation. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) knockout mutants of BICAT3 were sensitive to low Mn2+ and high Ca2+ availability and showed altered accumulation of these cations. Despite reduced cell expansion and leaf size in Mn2+-deficient bicat3 mutants, their photosynthesis was improved, accompanied by an increased Mn content of chloroplasts. Growth defects of bicat3 corresponded with an impaired glycosidic composition of matrix polysaccharides synthesized in the trans-Golgi. In addition to the vegetative growth defects, pollen tube growth of bicat3 was heterogeneously aberrant. This was associated with a severely reduced and similarly heterogeneous pectin deposition and caused diminished seed set and silique length. Double mutant analyses demonstrated that the physiological relevance of BICAT3 is distinct from that of ER-TYPE CA2+-ATPASE 3, a Golgi-localized Mn2+/Ca2+-ATPase. Collectively, BICAT3 is a principal Mn2+ transporter in the trans-Golgi whose activity is critical for specific glycosylation reactions in this organelle and for the allocation of Mn2+ between Golgi apparatus and chloroplasts.

Photobiocatalytic Oxyfunctionalization with High Reaction Rate using a Baeyer–Villiger Monooxygenase from Burkholderia xenovorans in Metabolically Engineered Cyanobacteria

Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs) catalyze the oxidation of ketones to lactones under very mild reaction conditions. This enzymatic route is hindered by the requirement of a stoichiometric supply of auxiliary substrates for cofactor recycling and difficulties with supplying the necessary oxygen. The recombinant production of BVMO in cyanobacteria allows the substitution of auxiliary organic cosubstrates with water as an electron donor and the utilization of oxygen generated by photosynthetic water splitting. Herein, we report the identification of a BVMO from Burkholderia xenovorans (BVMOXeno) that exhibits higher reaction rates in comparison to currently identified BVMOs. We report a 10-fold increase in specific activity in comparison to cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMOAcineto) in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (25 vs 2.3 U gDCW–1 at an optical density of OD750 = 10) and an initial rate of 3.7 ± 0.2 mM h–1. While the cells containing CHMOAcineto showed a considerable reduction of cyclohexanone to cyclohexanol, this unwanted side reaction was almost completely suppressed for BVMOXeno, which was attributed to the much faster lactone formation and a 10-fold lower KM value of BVMOXeno toward cyclohexanone. Furthermore, the whole-cell catalyst showed outstanding stereoselectivity. These results show that, despite the self-shading of the cells, high specific activities can be obtained at elevated cell densities and even further increased through manipulation of the photosynthetic electron transport chain (PETC). The obtained rates of up to 3.7 mM h–1 underline the usefulness of oxygenic cyanobacteria as a chassis for enzymatic oxidation reactions. The photosynthetic oxygen evolution can contribute to alleviating the highly problematic oxygen mass-transfer limitation of oxygen-dependent enzymatic processes.

Advances and perspectives in several areas of photosynthesis research

<p indent="0mm">Mechanisms in photosynthesis are the key and fundamental cutting-edge question in life sciences. Their applications are closely related to the sustainability of agriculture, energy, and environment. This article briefly summarizes recent advances in several areas of photosynthesis research, including structure and regulation of photosynthetic protein machineries, photosynthetic water splitting and oxygen production and artificial photosynthesis, plant light energy utilization, carbon dioxide assimilation, and synthetic biology in photosynthesis, and proposes research perspectives. Meanwhile, this article discusses the challenges and proposes important research areas and directions in photosynthesis research until the year of 2035 in China.

Photoelectrochemical Cells for Artificial Photosynthesis: Alternatives to Water Oxidation

AbstractPhotoelectrochemical cells have been used as one of the most common artificial photosynthetic approaches to mimic natural photosynthetic water splitting reactions. However, despite the tremendous advances made to improve the affordability and efficiency of photoelectrochemical water splitting, it is still not an economically feasible method to produce solar fuels currently since only the H2 evolving reduction half‐reaction generates valuable fuels. Therefore, in this review, we intend to highlight other underexplored substrates and reactions for producing solar fuels in photoelectrochemical cells, as well as alternative architectures including temporally independent and biohybrid systems. We show that besides water oxidation, electrocatalytic or photoredox reactions for pollutant degradation, biomass valorization, and organic chemical synthesis can be or have been successfully adapted for photoelectrochemical cells, thus offering a virtually infinite number of possibilities for artificial photosynthetic applications which generate valuable products in both the reduction and oxidation half reactions.

Metallic molybdenum sulfide nanodots as platinum-alternative co-catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) has attracted considerable attention as one of noble-metal-free co-catalysts of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for artificial photosynthetic water splitting. There are well-known challenges in optimizing its catalytic activity to pursue the replacement of platinum (Pt) for HER, owing to the edge-limited active sites and intrinsically poor conductivity. Herein, we prepared metallic MoS2 nanodots (MNDs) with 1T-phase occupation and edge-exposure maximum to achieve the simultaneous optimization of electric conductivity and active sites. When integrated as co-catalysts with graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) for sunlight-driven HER in alkaline electrolyte, the outstanding photocatalytic activity with hydrogen evolution rate of 5.62 mmol g−1 h−1, over 280 times higher than that of pure g-CN, demonstrates the excellent co-catalytic performance of 1T-MoS2 NDs (1T-MNDs) that even comparable to state-of-the-art Pt. The photo-induced charge dynamics describe the role of 1T-MNDs in facilitating charge separation as well as surface catalytic reaction, suggesting a promising potential of 1T-MNDs with more active sites and higher conductivity as Pt-alternative co-catalysts for solar hydrogen production.

A photosystem I monolayer with anisotropic electron flow enables Z-scheme like photosynthetic water splitting

An oriented photosystem I monolayer with minimised short-circuiting provides anisotropic electron flow, further coupling to a hydrogenase for realising light-induced H2 evolution.

Structural Dynamics of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II in Water-Splitting Action.

Oxygenic photosynthesis in nature occurs via water splitting catalyzed by the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II. To split water, the OEC cycles through a sequence of oxidation states (S i, i = 0-4), the structural mechanism of which is not fully understood under physiological conditions. We monitored the OEC in visible-light-driven water-splitting action by using in situ, aqueous-environment surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In the unexplored low-frequency region of SERS, we found dynamic vibrational signatures of water binding and splitting. Specific snapshots in the dynamic SERS correspond to intermediate states in the catalytic cycle, as determined by density functional theory and isotopologue comparisons. We assign the previously ambiguous protonation configuration of the S0-S3 states and propose a structural mechanism of the OEC's catalytic cycle. The findings address unresolved questions about photosynthetic water splitting and introduce spatially resolved, low-frequency SERS as a chemically sensitive tool for interrogating homogeneous catalysis in operando.

Rational redesign of the ferredoxin-NADP+-oxido-reductase/ferredoxin-interaction for photosynthesis-dependent H2-production

Utilization of electrons from the photosynthetic water splitting reaction for the generation of biofuels, commodities as well as application in biotransformations requires a partial rerouting of the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Due to its rather negative redox potential and its bifurcational function, ferredoxin at the acceptor side of Photosystem 1 is one of the focal points for such an engineering. With hydrogen production as model system, we show here the impact and potential of redox partner design involving ferredoxin (Fd), ferredoxin-oxido-reductase (FNR) and [FeFe]‑hydrogenase HydA1 on electron transport in a future cyanobacterial design cell of Synechocystis PCC 6803. X-ray-structure-based rational design and the allocation of specific interaction residues by NMR-analysis led to the construction of Fd- and FNR-mutants, which in appropriate combination enabled an about 18-fold enhanced electron flow from Fd to HydA1 (in competition with equimolar amounts of FNR) in in vitro assays. The negative impact of these mutations on the Fd-FNR electron transport which indirectly facilitates H2 production (with a contribution of ≤42% by FNR variants and ≤23% by Fd-variants) and the direct positive impact on the Fd-HydA1 electron transport (≤23% by Fd-mutants) provide an excellent basis for the construction of a hydrogen-producing design cell and the study of photosynthetic efficiency-optimization with cyanobacteria.

Enzymatic Oxyfunctionalization Driven by Photosynthetic Water-Splitting in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Photosynthetic water-splitting is a powerful force to drive selective redox reactions. The need of highly expensive redox partners such as NADPH and their regeneration is one of the main bottlenecks for the application of biocatalysis at an industrial scale. Recently, the possibility of using the photosystem of cyanobacteria to supply high amounts of reduced nicotinamide to a recombinant enoate reductase opened a new strategy for overcoming this hurdle. This paper presents the expansion of the photosynthetic regeneration system to a Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase. Despite the potential of this strategy, this work also presents some of the encountered challenges as well as possible solutions, which will require further investigation. The successful enzymatic oxygenation shows that cyanobacterial whole-cell biocatalysis is an applicable approach that allows fuelling selective oxyfunctionalisation reactions at the expense of light and water. Yet, several hurdles such as side-reactions and the cell-density limitation, probably due to self-shading of the cells, will have to be overcome on the way to synthetic applications.

Photosynthetic water splitting by the Mn4Ca2+OX catalyst of photosystem II: its structure, robustness and mechanism.

The biological energy cycle of our planet is driven by photosynthesis whereby sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll and other accessory pigments. The excitation energy is then efficiently transferred to a reaction centre where charge separation occurs in a few picoseconds. In the case of photosystem II (PSII), the energy of the charge transfer state is used to split water into oxygen and reducing equivalents. This is accomplished by the relatively low energy content of four photons of visible light. PSII is a large multi-subunit membrane protein complex embedded in the lipid environment of the thylakoid membranes of plants, algae and cyanobacteria. Four high energy electrons, together with four protons (4H+), are used to reduce plastoquinone (PQ), the terminal electron acceptor of PSII, to plastoquinol (PQH2). PQH2 passes its reducing equivalents to an electron transfer chain which feeds into photosystem I (PSI) where they gain additional reducing potential from a second light reaction which is necessary to drive CO2 reduction. The catalytic centre of PSII consists of a cluster of four Mn ions and a Ca2+ linked by oxo bonds. In addition, there are seven amino acid ligands. In this Article, I discuss the structure of this metal cluster, its stability and the probability that an acid-base (nucleophilic-electrophilic) mechanism catalyses the water splitting reaction on the surface of the metal-cluster. Evidence for this mechanism is presented from studies on water splitting catalysts consisting of organo-complexes of ruthenium and manganese and also by comparison with the enzymology of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH). Finally the relevance of our understanding of PSII is discussed in terms of artificial photosynthesis with emphasis on inorganic water splitting catalysts as oxygen generating photoelectrodes.

光合成水分解反応におけるプロトン移動

光合成水分解反応におけるプロトン移動

Expression of a clostridial [FeFe]-hydrogenase in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii prolongs photo-production of hydrogen from water splitting

The high oxygen (O2) sensitivity of green algal [FeFe]-hydrogenases is a significant limitation for the sustained production of hydrogen gas (H2) from photosynthetic water splitting. To address this limitation we replaced the native [FeFe]-hydrogenases with a more O2-tolerant clostridial [FeFe]-hydrogenase CaI in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain D66ΔHYD (hydA1−hydA2−) that contains insertionally inactivated [FeFe]-hydrogenases genes. Expression and translocation of CaI in D66ΔHYD led to the recovery of H2 photoproduction at ~20% of the rates of the wild-type parent strain D66. We show for the first time that a bacterial [FeFe]-hydrogenase can be expressed, localized and matured to a catalytically active form that couples to photosynthetic electron transport in the green alga C. reinhardtii. The lower rates of O2 inactivation of CaI led to more sustained H2 photoproduction when cultures were challenged with O2 or kept under prolonged illumination at solar intensities. These results provide new insights into the requisites for attaining photobiological H2 production from water splitting using a more O2-tolerant hydrogenase.

Photo synthetic water splitting of highly ordered Titania nano porous

Photo synthetic water splitting of highly ordered Titania nano porous

Understanding Photovoltage in Insulator-Protected Water Oxidation Half-Cells

In the pursuit of a photosynthetic and efficient water splitting device, detailed investigations of individual aspects of the whole device are necessary: catalysis, electronic conductivity, cathode and anode stability, and kinetics among other aspects. Improvement in one aspect can, however, often require fundamental tradeoffs affecting others. High solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of the overall system is the ultimate goal of water splitting research. When optimizing half-cells, either the anode or cathode, the photovoltage required to achieve a current density of interest is an especially important metric. This report investigates the photovoltage in insulator-protected water oxidation anodes using ALD-TiO2 protected silicon devices as a case study and looks in depth at how photovoltage is correctly determined from typical electrochemical analysis and how this relates to the underlying solid-state carrier transport. Finally, the photovoltage at 10 mA/cm2 referenced to the thermodynamic potentials is reviewed from several leading research reports for various photoanodes and photocathodes, providing a direct comparison of cell performance.

Understanding Photovoltage in Insulator-Protected Water-Splitting Half-Cells

In the pursuit of a photosynthetic and efficient water splitting device, efforts have focused on optimizing specific aspects of the whole: catalysis, electronic conductivity, cathode and anode stability, and kinetics among other aspects. Improvement in one aspect can, however, often require fundamental tradeoffs affecting others. The photovoltage required to achieve a current density of interest for a water splitting device is an especially important metric. High solar-to-hydrogen efficiency is the ultimate goal of water splitting research, but reporting efficiency in a half cell can be misleading. This report investigates the photovoltage in insulator-protected water splitting cells using ALD-TiO2 protected silicon anodes as a case study and looks in depth at how it is correctly determined from typical electrochemical analysis and how this relates to the underlying solid-state carrier transport. Finally, the photovoltage at 10 mA/cm2 operating current referenced to the thermodynamic potentials is reviewed from several leading research reports, allowing for a direct comparison of cell performance.

Plasmon-Enhanced Nanoparticles in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

We report a near-infrared-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting using ZnO nanorod-array decorated with CdTe quantum dots and plasmon-enhanced upconversion nanoparticles. The plasmon enhanced the intensity of the upconversion emission, which improved the photocurrent and the gas evolution rate of the photoelectrochemical reaction greatly. We will demonstrate a process of utilizing NIR to drive the photoelectrochemical water splitting reaction. The Au-UCNs can significantly enhance the upconversion emission intensity by plasmonic effect (Fig. 1). Thus, the enhancement of photocurrent and gas evolution was achieved. The results offer a convincing demonstration that energy can be converted from NIR to chemical fuel. We believe that our strategy is fundamental to the design of solar energy devices and should become an accepted technique for solar energy utilization at the NIR and IR regions. We also etched the p-type silicon wafer to fabricate microwire array as photocathode for the artificial photosynthetic water splitting under solar irradiation. After the decoration of siliver nanoparticles, the photocurrent of silicon microwire array can be increased up to ~38 mA/cm2 under applying -1.0 V bias (Fig. 2).

Investigation of electron transfer from isolated spinach thylakoids to indium tin oxide

The electrons generated by photosynthetic water splitting have been studied for direct electron transfer under light irradiation.