skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Explore Research Products in the PAR
It may take a few hours for recently added research products to appear in PAR search results.


Title: Light-induced H 2 generation in a photosystem I-O 2 -tolerant [FeFe] hydrogenase nanoconstruct
The fusion of hydrogenases and photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) has proven to be a promising strategy for the production of sustainable biofuels. Type I (iron-sulfur-containing) RCs, acting as photosensitizers, are capable of promoting electrons to a redox state that can be exploited by hydrogenases for the reduction of protons to dihydrogen (H2). While both [FeFe] and [NiFe] hydrogenases have been used successfully, they tend to be limited due to either O2sensitivity, binding specificity, or H2production rates. In this study, we fuse a peripheral (stromal) subunit of Photosystem I (PS I), PsaE, to an O2-tolerant [FeFe] hydrogenase fromClostridium beijerinckiiusing a flexible [GGS]4linker group (CbHydA1-PsaE). We demonstrate that theCbHydA1 chimera can be synthetically activated in vitro to show bidirectional activity and that it can be quantitatively bound to a PS I variant lacking the PsaE subunit. When illuminated in an anaerobic environment, the nanoconstruct generates H2at a rate of 84.9 ± 3.1 µmol H2mgchl–1h–1. Further, when prepared and illuminated in the presence of O2, the nanoconstruct retains the ability to generate H2, though at a diminished rate of 2.2 ± 0.5 µmol H2mgchl–1h–1. This demonstrates not only that PsaE is a promising scaffold for PS I-based nanoconstructs, but the use of an O2-tolerant [FeFe] hydrogenase opens the possibility for an in vivo H2generating system that can function in the presence of O2.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1943748
PAR ID:
10637616
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Volume:
121
Issue:
34
ISSN:
0027-8424
Page Range / eLocation ID:
e2400267121
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. ; (, Chemical Science)
    null (Ed.)
    At some point, all HER (Hydrogen Evolution Reaction) catalysts, important in sustainable H 2 O splitting technology, will encounter O 2 and O 2 -damage. The [NiFeSe]-H 2 ases and some of the [NiFeS]–H 2 ases, biocatalysts for reversible H 2 production from protons and electrons, are exemplars of oxygen tolerant HER catalysts in nature. In the hydrogenase active sites oxygen damage may be extensive (irreversible) as it is for the [FeFe]–H 2 ase or moderate (reversible) for the [NiFe]–H 2 ases. The affinity of oxygen for sulfur, in [NiFeS]–H 2 ase, and selenium, in [NiFeSe]–H 2 ase, yielding oxygenated chalcogens results in maintenance of the core NiFe unit, and myriad observable but inactive states, which can be reductively repaired. In contrast, the [FeFe]–H 2 ase active site has less possibilities for chalcogen-oxygen uptake and a greater chance for O 2 -attack on iron. Exposure to O 2 typically leads to irreversible damage. Despite the evidence of S/Se-oxygenation in the active sites of hydrogenases, there are limited reported synthetic models. This perspective will give an overview of the studies of O 2 reactions with the hydrogenases and biomimetics with focus on our recent studies that compare sulfur and selenium containing synthetic analogues of the [NiFe]–H 2 ase active sites. 
    more » « less
  2. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; et al (, Angewandte Chemie International Edition)
    Abstract Electrocatalytic [FeFe]‐hydrogenase mimics for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) generally suffer from low activity, high overpotential, aggregation, oxygen sensitivity, and low solubility in water. By using atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), a new class of [FeFe]‐metallopolymers with precise molar mass, defined composition, and low polydispersity, has been prepared. The synthetic methodology introduced here allows facile variation of polymer composition to optimize the [FeFe] solubility, activity, and long‐term chemical and aerobic stability. Water soluble functional metallopolymers facilitate electrocatalytic hydrogen production in neutral water with loadings as low as 2 ppm and operate at rates an order of magnitude faster than hydrogenases (2.5×105 s−1), and with low overpotential requirement. Furthermore, unlike the hydrogenases, these systems are insensitive to oxygen during catalysis, with turnover numbers on the order of 40 000 under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. 
    more » « less
  3. ; ; ; ; ; (, ChemSusChem)
    Abstract Hydrogenase enzymes produce H2gas, which can be a potential source of alternative energy. Inspired by the [NiFe] hydrogenases, we report the construction of a de novo‐designed artificial hydrogenase (ArH). The ArH is a dimeric coiled coil where two cysteine (Cys) residues are introduced at tandema/dpositions of a heptad to create a tetrathiolato Ni binding site. Spectroscopic studies show that Ni binding significantly stabilizes the peptide producing electronic transitions characteristic of Ni‐thiolate proteins. The ArH produces H2photocatalytically, demonstrating a bell‐shaped pH‐dependence on activity. Fluorescence lifetimes and transient absorption spectroscopic studies are undertaken to elucidate the nature of pH‐dependence, and to monitor the reaction kinetics of the photochemical processes. pH titrations are employed to determine the role of protonated Cys on reactivity. Through combining these results, a fine balance is found between solution acidity and the electron transfer steps. This balance is critical to maximize the production of NiI‐peptide and protonation of the NiII−H−intermediate (Ni−R) by a Cys (pKa≈6.4) to produce H2. 
    more » « less
  4. ; ; ; (, Photochemistry and Photobiology)
    Abstract A density functional theoretical (DFT) study is presented, implicating a1O2oxidation process to reach a dihydrobenzofuran from the reaction of the natural homoallylic alcohol, glycocitrine. Our results predict an interconversion between glycocitrine and aniso‐hydroperoxide intermediate [R(H)O+–O−] that provides a key path in the chemistry which then follows. Formations of allylic hydroperoxides are unlikely from a1O2‘ene’ reaction. Instead, the dihydrobenzofuran arises by1O2oxidation facilitated by a 16° curvature of the glycocitrine ring imposed by a pyramidalN‐methyl group. This curvature facilitates the formation of theiso‐hydroperoxide, which is analogous to theisospecies CH2I+–I−and CHI2+–I−formed by UV photolysis of CH2I2and CHI3. Theiso‐hydroperoxide is also structurally reminiscent of carbonyl oxides (R2C=O+–O−) formed in the reaction of carbenes and oxygen. Our DFT results point to intermolecular process, in which theiso‐hydroperoxide's fate relates to O‐transfer and H2O dehydration reactions for new insight into the biosynthesis of dihydrobenzofuran natural products. 
    more » « less
  5. ; ; ; ; ; (, Advanced Energy Materials)
    Abstract The performance of all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) relies on the Li+transport and stability characteristics of solid electrolytes (SEs). Li3PS4is notable for its stability against lithium metal, yet its ionic conductivity remains a limiting factor. This study leverages local structural disorder via O substitution to achieve an ionic conductivity of 1.38 mS cm−1with an activation energy of 0.34 eV for Li3PS4−xOx(x = 0.31). Optimal O substitution transforms Li+transport from 2D to 3D pathways with increased ion mobility. Li3PS3.69O0.31exhibits improvements in the critical current density and stability against Li metal and retains its electrochemical stability window compared with Li3PS4. The practical implementation of Li3PS3.69O0.31in ASSBs half‐cells, particularly when coupled with TiS2as the cathode active material, demonstrates substantially enhanced capacity and rate performance. This work elucidates the utility of introducing local structural disorder to ameliorate SE properties and highlights the benefits of strategically combining the inherent strengths of sulfides and oxides via creating oxysulfide SEs. 
    more » « less
  • Citation Formats
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago
  • BibTeX
  • Save / Share this Record
  • Send to Email