About the Project
The widespread use of fuel cells and water splitting devices for energy generation and storage is restricted by the dependence on noble metal catalysts. There is a tremendous need for the development of efficient electrocatalysts made of Earth-abundant elements, as well as technologies that have a greener footprint and low or no CO2 emissions. Taking example from nature, hydrogenases are metallo-enzymes that catalyze the reaction of H2 to protons and electrons, as well as the reverse one, with an activity comparable to that of Platinum.
In this fascinating project, we grow and attach Hydrogenases on beautiful nanostructures, such as the nanotubes in the picture below (a and b), in order to make novel and cheap electrodes for water electrolysis. It is Hydrogenase that works now and not the expensive and rare Platinum. Moreover, we are very interested in visualizing the 3D structure of these enzymes and observe them on the surface of the nanotubes, and for this reason we will explore the power and possibilities of Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM, picture c and d). This bioelectrode will be used in a system of artificial photosynthesis and generation of solar fuels by simultaneous water splitting and CO2 capture and utilization. In EnCaSE we are very concerned about the excessive CO2 amounts in our atmosphere and our technology is based on a greener approach for a safer future
Financing
The project is funded by Research Council of Norway, other support under NANO2021 program, project number 275058