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In this study, the chloroplast-mimicking nanoreactor (CMNR) is easily obtained through the self-assembly of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) bilayer on the surface of a gold nanorod (GNR) electrocatalyst to form a core-shell structure.
The structure and arrangement of CTAB molecules on the surface of GNR were investigated using experimental and theoretical techniques, such as high-angle annular darkfield scanning transmission atom imaging, angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT), and the bilayer arrangement of CTAB molecules on the surface of GNR was discovered.
Furthermore, extensive theoretical and experimental investigations showed that the polarized -N(CH3)3 unit of CTAB can effectively capture CO2 from solution, and the organic channels formed by the hydrophobic organic chains promoted the diffusion of CO2 to GNR. Therefore, the CTAB bilayer can mimic chloroplast membrane to allow highly selective transport of CO2 molecules instead of protons to GNR.
In summary, the authors presented the establishment of a chloroplast-mimicking nanoreactor by modifying the surface of a GNR electrocatalyst with a self-assembled CTAB bilayer. The CTAB bilayer mimics the chloroplast membrane to allow the simultaneous regulation of the transport of CO2 and protons to the GNR core, and the GNR core imitates Rubisco enzymes to catalyze CO2 reduction reaction.
Correspondingly, the selectivity of CO2 reduction to CO has been greatly enhanced. This work presents a new biomimetic design towards addressing the challenges involved in the CO2 reduction reaction, which could be applicable to a wide range of electrocatalytic reactions like oxygen reduction reaction and nitrogen reduction reaction.
More information:
Weiguang Ma et al, Chloroplast-mimicking nanoreactor for enhanced CO2 electrocatalysis, Science Bulletin (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.07.041
Citation:
A chloroplast-mimicking nanoreactor for enhanced CO₂ electrocatalysis (2024, August 29)
retrieved 29 August 2024
from https://phys.org/news/2024-08-chloroplast-mimicking-nanoreactor-co8322-electrocatalysis.html
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