CHED 1463 |
| Artificial photosynthesis is an area of research that seeks to replicate the natural process of photosynthesis that converts sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen. The visible-light driven splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen and even the targeting of methanol as the product of CO2 reduction are sometimes included in the definition. There are two distinct approaches to realizing the goal of artificial photosynthesis: structural models vs. functional models of the natural systems. We are pursuing functional models as exemplified in recent work on hydrogenase-inspired catalysts for H2 oxidation and proton reduction. The function of the chlorophyll arrays in plants might be replaced with a suitable band-gap-narrowed semiconductor photoanode in an electrochemical cell, possibly with the aid of a molecular multi-electron water oxidation catalyst. The role of the NADH co-factor as the carrier and donor of two electrons and a proton might be replaced by a photogenerated hydride donor to carry out the function of Photosystem I. Examples from our current work in these areas will be presented. The work at Brookhaven National Laboratory is funded under contract DE-AC02-98CH10886 with the U.S. Department of Energy and supported by its Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences. |
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Chemical Evolution from Origins of Life to Modern Society
8:30 AM-11:55 AM, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Jasperwood, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |