Bio‐Photocatalytic Synergy Enables Valorization of CH <sub>4</sub> and CO <sub>2</sub> Into Hydrogen and 4‐Hydroxybenzoate in Engineered Methanotrophic Bacteria
Abstract
ABSTRACT Valorization of decentralized one‐carbon chain (C 1 ) resources into value‐added products has garnered significant attention, owing to its dual benefits in resource recovery and carbon mitigation. To address the challenge of co‐converting methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), we developed a solar‐driven biohybrid system that synergistically integrates biosynthesis and photocatalysis. The core of this system relies on a genetically engineered methanotrophic cell factory and newly designed biocompatible photocatalytic metal complexes. The methanotrophic bacteria utilize CH 4 as the primary feedstock to biosynthesize 4‐hydroxybenzoate (4HBA) while realizing CO 2 sequestration. The photocatalytic metal complexes, meanwhile, capture formate (a metabolic byproduct of cells) to generate hydrogen (H 2 ) and photoelectrons—with the latter directly supplying reducing power to support cellular activities in genetically tailored cells. Under optimal conditions, this solar‐driven system achieved a 4HBA titer of 472.36 µg/L, a H 2 yield of 0.59 mmol H 2 /mol CH 4 , and over 50% reduction in carbon emissions. The study not only establishes a feasible biomanufacturing strategy for the upcycling of C 1 gaseous feedstocks but also highlights the potential of integrating biological and photochemical technologies to advance sustainable energy and environmental solutions.
Article Details
Authors (13)
Ziyue Jiao
Yujing Gao
Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Interdisciplinary Research Center of Frontier Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Institute of New Concept Sensors and Molecular Materials, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of New Conceptual Sensors and Molecular Materials, Engineering Research Center of Key Materials for Efficient Utilization of Clean Energy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Electronic Devices and Material Chemistry
Wenxin Wei
Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Interdisciplinary Research Center of Frontier Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Institute of New Concept Sensors and Molecular Materials, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of New Conceptual Sensors and Molecular Materials, Engineering Research Center of Key Materials for Efficient Utilization of Clean Energy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Electronic Devices and Material Chemistry
Chenyue Zhang
Shuqi Guo
Qianzi Hou
Xi'an Key Laboratory of C1 Compound Bioconversion Technology Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an P. R. China
Aipeng Li
Xi'an Key Laboratory of C1 Compound Bioconversion Technology Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an P. R. China
Tianle Cao
Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Interdisciplinary Research Center of Frontier Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Institute of New Concept Sensors and Molecular Materials, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of New Conceptual Sensors and Molecular Materials, Engineering Research Center of Key Materials for Efficient Utilization of Clean Energy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an Key Laboratory of Electronic Devices and Material Chemistry
Tianyue Yuan
Xi’an Jiaotong University , , , ,
Yawen Li
Gang He
Chuan Xia
School of Materials and Energy
Qiang Fei