Harnessing Microbial Enzymes and Light Activation for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Capture and Release

Scientists have isolated an enzyme from a microbe that efficiently converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into formate, a stable compound that can be used for energy storage or synthesis. When the enzyme was attached to an electrode, it demonstrated perfect efficiency in converting CO2 to formate. This discovery could inspire new CO2-fixation systems for capturing and utilizing CO2, potentially contributing to efforts to mitigate climate change. The enzyme-bound electrodes offer an efficient and attractive solution for gas conversion procedures, as they directly deliver the energy required for CO2 capture without electric current loss or the need for expensive or toxic chemical compounds.