Layered nano-biohybrid uses sunlight, air and water to make hydrogen peroxide

A research team at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, in collaboration with scientists from Japan's Photon Science Innovation Center and Tohoku University, has created a layered nano-biohybrid material that efficiently produces hydrogen peroxide using sunlight, air, and water. The hybrid system combines inorganic materials with biological components, resulting in a more cost-effective and energy-efficient process compared to traditional methods.

The material consists of bismuth oxychloride, a synthetic semiconducting material, layered with patches of a purple membrane derived from naturally occurring, light-absorbing biological material from salt-loving microorganisms called archaea. When exposed to light, the purple membrane acts like a biological solar panel, capturing light energy and facilitating the movement of protons and electrons at the interface with the bismuth oxychloride.

This process enables the semiconductor to convert oxygen from the air and water into hydrogen peroxide, with the hybrid material generating over five times more hydrogen peroxide than the semiconductor alone. The system operates under ambient conditions and utilizes inexpensive, abundant materials, making it a promising alternative to high-energy input and complex catalytic systems required for industrial applications.

The researchers at Argonne, led by postdoctoral appointee Jinhyeong Jang, demonstrated that carefully designed nano-bio interfaces can guide charge movement and drive specific chemical reactions. In addition to hydrogen peroxide production, the system can also convert ethylene glycol, a low-cost industrial chemical, into more valuable products such as glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, and formic acid.

The potential applications of this nanoarchitectonics technology span various industries, including fertilizer and fuel components production.