Enzymatic conversion of carbon dioxide

Abstract

With the continuous increase in fossil fuels consumption and the rapid growth of atmospheric CO2 concentration, the harmonious state between human and nature faces severe challenges. Exploring green and sustainable energy resources and devising efficient methods for CO2 capture, sequestration and utilization are urgently required. Converting CO2 into fuels/chemicals/materials as an indispensable element for CO2 capture, sequestration and utilization may offer a win-win strategy to both decrease the CO2 concentration and achieve the efficient exploitation of carbon resources. Among the current major methods (including chemical, photochemical, electrochemical and enzymatic methods), the enzymatic method, which is inspired by the CO2 metabolic process in cells, offers a green and potent alternative for efficient CO2 conversion due to its superior stereo-specificity and region/chemo-selectivity. Thus, in this tutorial review, we firstly provide a brief background about enzymatic conversion for CO2 capture, sequestration and utilization. Next, we depict six major routes of the CO2 metabolic process in cells, which are taken as the inspiration source for the construction of enzymatic systems in vitro. Next, we focus on the state-of-the-art routes for the catalytic conversion of CO2 by a single enzyme system and by a multienzyme system. Some emerging approaches and materials utilized for constructing single-enzyme/multienzyme systems to enhance the catalytic activity/stability will be highlighted. Finally, a summary about the current advances and the future perspectives of the enzymatic conversion of CO2 will be presented.

Recent Progress and Novel Applications in Enzymatic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide

“…Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH) or their equivalents are required in all known natural CO 2 conversion pathways [12,15]. Various pathways for the conversion of CO 2 associated to the dependence of chemoautotrophic organisms on CO 2 have been developed (Figure 1) [10,12]. These enzymatic conversions of CO 2 and carboxylation reactions derived from catabolic pathways are considered fundamental to science and have inspired in vitro studies and industrial applications.…”

“…They impact substantially to the global carbon cycle, in which enzymes play crucial roles in catalyzing the CO2 fixation [12]. Beside, a large number of enzymes, such as decarboxylase enzymes in carboxylation reactions derived from catabolic pathways, utilize CO2 or HCO3 − as a reaction substrate and do not belong to chemoautotrophic pathways [2,12,13].…”

“…Many approaches have been considered and adopted for reducing CO 2 emissions, including enhancing energy efficiency and promoting energy conservation; increasing the usage of low carbon fuels, including natural gas, hydrogen, or nuclear power; deploying renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and bioenergy; applying geoengineering approaches such as afforestation and reforestation; CO 2 capture and storage (CCS); and converting CO 2 into fuels and chemicals [1]. Among these approaches, turning CO 2 into fuels and chemicals offers a win-win strategy to both decrease atmospheric CO 2 and efficiently exploit carbon resources [2].…”

“…The concept behind the CO 2 conversion to chemicals and fuels is attractive: the direct energy supply via combustion of carbonaceous energy carriers produces CO 2 , which could be converted back into the energy carrier, thereby resulting to an artificial carbon cycle that recycles CO 2 and balances anthropogenic emissions [3,4]. To catalyze CO 2 conversion, chemical, photochemical, electrochemical, and enzymatic methods have been employed.…”

Ionic Liquids as Bifunctional Cosolvents Enhanced CO2 Conversion Catalysed by NADH-Dependent Formate Dehydrogenase

“…Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from combustion of fossil fuels and its greenhouse effect on climate change (i.e., global warming) are considered a current threat [1]. To minimize environmental problems and produce clean energy, efficient utilization of CO 2 and carbon regeneration has been the focus of a tremendous amount of research [2][3][4][5].…”