Project description
Gaining insight into carbon-neutral hydrogen production
Hydrogen gas (H2) is considered a promising energy carrier. However, industrially consumed H2 is generally associated with significant CO2 emissions. Since high-efficiency H2 catalysts are based on rare elements and aren’t affordable on a larger scale, catalysts composed of earth-abundant elements are needed. The enzyme [FeFe]-hydrogenase catalyses H2 production with high rates, in aqueous solutions and at low overpotentials, but synthetic catalysts inspired by it aren’t as efficient. Basic research is therefore needed to understand hydrogenase catalysis. The EU-funded Nat-HEC project aims to explore the fundamental hydride chemistry of [FeFe]-hydrogenases under turnover conditions. Catalysis will be initiated using a laser pulse and monitored by transient absorption spectroscopy. This work will pave the way for the design of synthetic catalysts based on earth-abundant elements.
Objective
The European Union targets a climate-neutral economy by 2050. In the context of this initiative, hydrogen gas (H2) is regarded as a promising energy carrier; however, about 95% of the H2 industrially consumed originates from steam reformation of fossil resources and is associated with significant CO2 release. High-efficiency H2 catalysts based on rare elements like platinum are not affordable on a larger scale. To address the global need for green energy, catalysts composed of earth abundant elements are desirable.
Natures’ Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst is the enzyme [FeFe]-hydrogenase. It catalyses H2 production with high rates (10 kHz), in aqueous solution (pH 7), and at low over potentials (-420 mV vs. SHE). [FeFe]-hydrogenase inspired the design of numerous synthetic catalysts, none of which could rival the efficiency of the native system. Basic research is necessary to understand hydrogenase catalysis, in particular regarding the metal hydride chemistry prior H2 release.
The objective of this action is to investigate the fundamental hydride chemistry of [FeFe]-hydrogenases under turnover conditions. Catalysis will be initiated via a laser pulse and monitored by transient absorption spectroscopy. Such pump/probe experiments allow following reaction intermediates with sub-turnover time resolution.
The results of this action will inspire a targeted design of synthetic catalyst based on earth abundant elements. Moreover, the developed methodology will facilitate a detailed investigation of related enzymes, catalysing global key processes in nature like N2 or CO2 fixation.
Fields of science
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopyabsorption spectroscopy
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinator
751 05 Uppsala
Sweden