Photobiocatalytic CO2 reduction into CO by organic nanorod-carbon monoxide dehydrogenase assemblies: surfactant matters

Abstract

Photobiocatalytic CO₂ reduction represents an attractive approach for conversion of solar light and abundant resources to value-added chemicals. However, the design of suitable systems requires a detailed understanding of the interaction between the artificial photosensitizer and biocatalyst interface. In this work, we investigate the effect of surfactant charge utilized in the preparation of a phenoxazine-based organic molecule nanorod photosensitizer on the interaction with the carbon monoxide dehydrogenase II from Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans within biohybrid assemblies for sacrificially driven photobiocatalytic CO₂ reduction into CO. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay in conjunction with cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) and detailed physicochemical characterization are conducted to understand the interaction at the biohybrid interface in order to suggest a strategy for future functionalization of nanoparticles that fulfills the needs of the biocatalyst for green fuel production.