scholarly journals Reprogramming bacterial protein organelles as a nanoreactor for hydrogen production

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianpei Li ◽  
Qiuyao Jiang ◽  
Jiafeng Huang ◽  
Catherine M. Aitchison ◽  
Fang Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Catalytic Performance ◽  
Enzyme Activation ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Catalytically Active ◽  
Oxygen Sensitive ◽  
Protein Shell

Abstract Compartmentalization is a ubiquitous building principle in cells, which permits segregation of biological elements and reactions. The carboxysome is a specialized bacterial organelle that encapsulates enzymes into a virus-like protein shell and plays essential roles in photosynthetic carbon fixation. The naturally designed architecture, semi-permeability, and catalytic improvement of carboxysomes have inspired rational design and engineering of new nanomaterials to incorporate desired enzymes into the protein shell for enhanced catalytic performance. Here, we build large, intact carboxysome shells (over 90 nm in diameter) in the industrial microorganism Escherichia coli by expressing a set of carboxysome protein-encoding genes. We develop strategies for enzyme activation, shell self-assembly, and cargo encapsulation to construct a robust nanoreactor that incorporates catalytically active [FeFe]-hydrogenases and functional partners within the empty shell for the production of hydrogen. We show that shell encapsulation and the internal microenvironment of the new catalyst facilitate hydrogen production of the encapsulated oxygen-sensitive hydrogenases. The study provides insights into the assembly and formation of carboxysomes and paves the way for engineering carboxysome shell-based nanoreactors to recruit specific enzymes for diverse catalytic reactions.

scholarly journals Ag–Au Core–Shell Triangular Nanoprisms for Improving p-g-C3N4 Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3347
Author(s):  
Yali Guo ◽  
Anzhou Xu ◽  
Juan Hou ◽  
Qingcui Liu ◽  
Hailong Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Photogenerated Electron ◽  
Core Shell ◽  
Co Catalyst ◽  
Replacement Method ◽  
Assembly Method ◽  
Free Replacement ◽  
Electron Holes

Ag–Au core–shell triangular nanoprisms (Ag@Au TNPs) have aroused extensive research interest in the field of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their strong plasmon effect and stability. Here, Ag@Au TNPs were fabricated by the galvanic-free replacement method. Then, we loaded them on protonated g-C3N4 nanoprisms (P–CN) by the electrostatic self-assembly method as an efficient plasmonic photocatalyst for HER. The hydrogen production rate of Ag@Au TNPs/P–CN (4.52 mmol/g/h) is 4.1 times higher than that of P–CN (1.11 mmol/g/h) under simulated sunlight irradiation, making it the most competitive material for water splitting. The formed Schottky junction helps to trap the hot electrons generated from Ag@Au TNPs, and the well-preserved tips of the Ag@Au TNPs can effectively generate an electromagnetic field to inhibit the photogenerated electron–holes pairs recombination. This study suggests that the rational design of Ag@Au TNPs by the galvanic-free replacement method is an effective co-catalyst for HER and boosting the additional combination of plasmonic metals and catalyst metals for the enhancement to HER.

scholarly journals Decoding the absolute stoichiometric composition and structural plasticity of α-carboxysomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaqi Sun ◽  
Victoria M. Harman ◽  
James R. Johnson ◽  
Taiyu Chen ◽  
Gregory F. Dykes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rational Design ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Stoichiometric Composition ◽  
Quantitative Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Shell Protein ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Halothiobacillus Neapolitanus ◽  
Protein Shell ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractCarboxysomes are anabolic bacterial microcompartments that play an essential role in carbon fixation in cyanobacteria and some chemoautotrophs. This self-assembling organelle encapsulates the key CO2-fixing enzymes, Rubisco, and carbonic anhydrase using a polyhedral protein shell that is constructed by hundreds of shell protein paralogs. The α-carboxysome from the chemoautotroph Halothiobacillus neapolitanus serves as a model system in fundamental studies and synthetic engineering of carboxysomes. Here we adopt a QconCAT-based quantitative mass spectrometry to determine the absolute stoichiometric composition of native α-carboxysomes from H. neapolitanus. We further performed an in-depth comparison of the protein stoichiometry of native and recombinant α-carboxysomes heterologously generated in Escherichia coli to evaluate the structural variability and remodeling of α-carboxysomes. Our results provide insight into the molecular principles that mediate carboxysome assembly, which may aid in rational design and reprogramming of carboxysomes in new contexts for biotechnological applications.

scholarly journals Positioning the Model Bacterial Organelle, the Carboxysome

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua S. MacCready ◽  
Anthony G. Vecchiarelli
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
Bacterial Metabolism ◽  
Positioning System ◽  
Carbon Source Utilization ◽  
Metabolic Reactions ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Protein Shell ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

ABSTRACT Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) confine a diverse array of metabolic reactions within a selectively permeable protein shell, allowing for specialized biochemistry that would be less efficient or altogether impossible without compartmentalization. BMCs play critical roles in carbon fixation, carbon source utilization, and pathogenesis. Despite their prevalence and importance in bacterial metabolism, little is known about BMC “homeostasis,” a term we use here to encompass BMC assembly, composition, size, copy-number, maintenance, turnover, positioning, and ultimately, function in the cell. The carbon-fixing carboxysome is one of the most well-studied BMCs with regard to mechanisms of self-assembly and subcellular organization. In this minireview, we focus on the only known BMC positioning system to date—the maintenance of carboxysome distribution (Mcd) system, which spatially organizes carboxysomes. We describe the two-component McdAB system and its proposed diffusion-ratchet mechanism for carboxysome positioning. We then discuss the prevalence of McdAB systems among carboxysome-containing bacteria and highlight recent evidence suggesting how liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) may play critical roles in carboxysome homeostasis. We end with an outline of future work on the carboxysome distribution system and a perspective on how other BMCs may be spatially regulated. We anticipate that a deeper understanding of BMC organization, including nontraditional homeostasis mechanisms involving LLPS and ATP-driven organization, is on the horizon.

Optimizing electron density of nickel sulfide electrocatalysts through sulfur vacancy engineering for alkaline hydrogen evolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (35) ◽  
pp. 18207-18214
Author(s):  
Dongbo Jia ◽  
Lili Han ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Wenjun He ◽  
Caichi Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Evolution ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Nickel Sulfide ◽  
Catalytic Performance ◽  
Sulfide Catalysts ◽  
Sulfur Vacancy

A novel, rational design for porous S-vacancy nickel sulfide catalysts with remarkable catalytic performance for alkaline HER.

Characterization of a Polymeric Membrane for the Separation of Hydrogen in a Mixture with CO2

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dionisio H. Malagón-Romero ◽  
Alexander Ladino ◽  
Nataly Ortiz ◽  
Liliana P. Green
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Polymeric Membrane ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen

Hydrogen is expected to play an important role as a clean, reliable and renewable energy source. A key challenge is the production of hydrogen in an economically and environmentally sustainable way on an industrial scale. One promising method of hydrogen production is via biological processes using agricultural resources, where the hydrogen is found to be mixed with other gases, such as carbon dioxide. Thus, to separate hydrogen from the mixture, it is challenging to implement and evaluate a simple, low cost, reliable and efficient separation process. So, the aim of this work was to develop a polymeric membrane for hydrogen separation. The developed membranes were made of polysulfone via phase inversion by a controlled evaporation method with 5 wt % and 10 wt % of polysulfone resulting in thicknesses of 132 and 239 micrometers, respectively. Membrane characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and ASTM D882 tensile test. Performance was characterized using a 23 factorial experiment using the time lag method, comparing the results with those from gas chromatography (GC). As a result, developed membranes exhibited dense microstructures, low values of RMS roughness, and glass transition temperatures of approximately 191.75 °C and 190.43 °C for the 5 wt % and 10 wt % membranes, respectively. Performance results for the given membranes showed a hydrogen selectivity of 8.20 for an evaluated gas mixture 54% hydrogen and 46% carbon dioxide. According to selectivity achieved, H2 separation from carbon dioxide is feasible with possibilities of scalability. These results are important for consolidating hydrogen production from biological processes.

scholarly journals Hydrogen production from water electrolysis: role of catalysts

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Wang ◽  
Aolin Lu ◽  
Chuan-Jian Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Water Splitting ◽  
Noble Metal ◽  
Active Sites ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Water Electrolysis ◽  
Efficient Production ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen

AbstractAs a promising substitute for fossil fuels, hydrogen has emerged as a clean and renewable energy. A key challenge is the efficient production of hydrogen to meet the commercial-scale demand of hydrogen. Water splitting electrolysis is a promising pathway to achieve the efficient hydrogen production in terms of energy conversion and storage in which catalysis or electrocatalysis plays a critical role. The development of active, stable, and low-cost catalysts or electrocatalysts is an essential prerequisite for achieving the desired electrocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting for practical use, which constitutes the central focus of this review. It will start with an introduction of the water splitting performance evaluation of various electrocatalysts in terms of activity, stability, and efficiency. This will be followed by outlining current knowledge on the two half-cell reactions, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), in terms of reaction mechanisms in alkaline and acidic media. Recent advances in the design and preparation of nanostructured noble-metal and non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts will be discussed. New strategies and insights in exploring the synergistic structure, morphology, composition, and active sites of the nanostructured electrocatalysts for increasing the electrocatalytic activity and stability in HER and OER will be highlighted. Finally, future challenges and perspectives in the design of active and robust electrocatalysts for HER and OER towards efficient production of hydrogen from water splitting electrolysis will also be outlined.

scholarly journals A Process for Hydrogen Production from the Catalytic Decomposition of Formic Acid over Iridium—Palladium Nanoparticles

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3258
Author(s):  
Hamed M. Alshammari ◽  
Mohammad Hayal Alotaibi ◽  
Obaid F. Aldosari ◽  
Abdulellah S. Alsolami ◽  
Nuha A. Alotaibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Formic Acid ◽  
Activated Charcoal ◽  
Palladium Nanoparticles ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Catalytic Decomposition ◽  
Conversion Yield ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Commercial Applications

The present study investigates a process for the selective production of hydrogen from the catalytic decomposition of formic acid in the presence of iridium and iridium–palladium nanoparticles under various conditions. It was found that a loading of 1 wt.% of 2% palladium in the presence of 1% iridium over activated charcoal led to a 43% conversion of formic acid to hydrogen at room temperature after 4 h. Increasing the temperature to 60 °C led to further decomposition and an improvement in conversion yield to 63%. Dilution of formic acid from 0.5 to 0.2 M improved the decomposition, reaching conversion to 81%. The reported process could potentially be used in commercial applications.

scholarly journals Iridium Complex Catalyzed Hydrogen Production from Glucose and Various Monosaccharides

Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 891
Author(s):  
Ken-ichi Fujita ◽  
Takayoshi Inoue ◽  
Toshiki Tanaka ◽  
Jaeyoung Jeong ◽  
Shohichi Furukawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Catalytic System ◽  
Catalytic Reaction ◽  
Hydrogen Gas ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Starting Material ◽  
Iridium Complex ◽  
Production Of Hydrogen ◽  
Bipyridine Ligand

A new catalytic system has been developed for hydrogen production from various monosaccharides, mainly glucose, as a starting material under reflux conditions in water in the presence of a water-soluble dicationic iridium complex bearing a functional bipyridine ligand. For example, the reaction of D-glucose in water under reflux for 20 h in the presence of [Cp*Ir(6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine)(H2O)][OTf]2 (1.0 mol %) (Cp*: pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, OTf: trifluoromethanesulfonate) resulted in the production of hydrogen gas in 95% yield. In the present catalytic reaction, it was experimentally suggested that dehydrogenation of the alcoholic moiety at 1-position of glucose proceeded.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document