Sunlight-assisted, biocatalytic formate synthesis from CO2 and water using silicon-based photoelectrochemical cells

Abstract

We report on a silicon-based photoelectrochemical cell that integrates a formate dehydrogenase from Thiobacillus sp. (TsFDH) to convert CO₂ to formate using water as an electron donor under visible light irradiation and an applied bias. Our current study suggests that the deliberate integration of biocatalysis to a light-harvesting platform could provide an opportunity to synthesize valuable chemicals with the use of earth-abundant materials and sustainable resources.