The sustainable production of solar fuels via photochemical energy conversion is a promising means to replace fossil fuels and provide for long-term global energy needs.  In the process of photosynthesis, Nature has optimized solar energy conversion within finely tuned molecular systems called photosynthetic reaction center proteins (RCs).  Of current interest are new energy conversion strategies that couple the photon energy, efficiently captured as a stabilized charge separation across the RC, to the direct synthesis of energy-rich compounds.  We are developing a new class of hybrid systems that link the Photosystem I RC to synthetic first-row transition metal molecular catalysts.   Thus far, we have shown that cobaloxime and nickel diphosphine catalysts readily self-assemble with Photosystem I, and the resultant complexes rapidly produce hydrogen in aqueous solution upon exposure to visible light.  In addition, we have developed a novel strategy for creation of solar fuel hybrids that involves protein-directed delivery of a molecular catalyst to the reducing side of Photosystem I for light-driven catalysis.  This work provides new exciting opportunities to link synthetic designs with Nature's inherent RC photochemistry for photocatalytic H2 production utilizing earth-abundant materials.

Nature-driven photochemistry for solar fuel production

248th National Meeting (2014)

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