Abstract
A hybrid system comprising a hydrogenase and a photosensitizer co-attached to a nanoparticle serves as a rational model for fast dihydrogen (H2) production using visible light. This chapter describes a stepwise procedure for preparing TiO2 nanoparticles functionalized with a hydrogenase from Desulfomicrobium baculatum (Db [NiFeSe]-H) and a tris(bipyridyl)ruthenium photosensitizer (RuP). Upon irradiation with visible light, these particles produce H2 from neutral water at room temperature in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor – a test-system for the cathodic half reaction of water splitting. In particular, we describe how a hydrogenase and a photosensitizer with desired properties, including strong adsorption on TiO2, can be selected by electrochemical methods. The catalyst Db [NiFeSe]-H is selected for its high H2 production activity even when H2 and traces of O2 are present. Adsorption of Db [NiFeSe]-H and RuP on TiO2 electrodes results in high electrochemical and photocatalytic activities that translate into nanoparticles exhibiting efficient light harvesting, charge separation, and sacrificial H2 generation.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by BBSRC (BB/D52222X/1 and BB/H003878-1) and EPSRC (Supergen 5 and EP/H00338X/1).
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Reisner, E., Armstrong, F.A. (2011). A TiO2 Nanoparticle System for Sacrificial Solar H2 Production Prepared by Rational Combination of a Hydrogenase with a Ruthenium Photosensitizer. In: Wang, P. (eds) Nanoscale Biocatalysis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 743. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-132-1_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-132-1_9
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