# Photobiocatalytic CO2 reduction into CO by organic nanorod-carbon monoxide dehydrogenase assemblies: surfactant matters

## TL;DR

This paper explores how surfactants affect the performance of biohybrid systems that convert CO2 into CO using organic nanorods and an enzyme.

## Contribution

The study reveals the impact of surfactant charge on the interaction between photosensitizers and enzymes in biohybrid assemblies for CO2 reduction.

## Key findings

- Surfactant charge significantly influences the performance of biohybrid assemblies for CO2 reduction.
- Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and Cryo-EM help understand biohybrid interface interactions.
- The findings suggest strategies for nanoparticle functionalization to optimize biocatalytic fuel production.

## Abstract

Photobiocatalytic CO2 reduction represents an attractive approach for conversion of solar light and abundant resources to value-added chemicals. However, the design of suitable systems requires a detailed understanding of the interaction between the artificial photosensitizer and biocatalyst interface. In this work, we investigate the effect of surfactant charge utilized in the preparation of a phenoxazine-based organic molecule nanorod photosensitizer on the interaction with the carbon monoxide dehydrogenase II from Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans within biohybrid assemblies for sacrificially driven photobiocatalytic CO2 reduction into CO. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay in conjunction with cryogenic electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) and detailed physicochemical characterization are conducted to understand the interaction at the biohybrid interface in order to suggest a strategy for future functionalization of nanoparticles that fulfills the needs of the biocatalyst for green fuel production.

Organic nanorods have been prepared to be assembled with carbon monoxide dehydrogenase for photobiocatalytic CO2 reduction. The surfactants used to synthesize organic nanorods have shown significant effect on the performance of biohybrid assemblies.