Vol.:(0123456789)
Topics in Current Chemistry (2020) 378:43
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-020-00306-6
1 3
REVIEW
Proteins‑Based Nanocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Reactions
Daily Rodriguez‑Padron
1
· Md Ariful Ahsan
2,3
· Mohamed Fathi Sanad
2
·
Rafael Luque
1,4
· Alain R. Puente Santiago
2
Received: 2 January 2020 / Accepted: 10 June 2020
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract
In recent years, the incorporation of molecular enzymes into nanostructured frameworks to create efficient energy conversion biomaterials has gained increasing interest as a promising strategy owing to both the dynamic behavior of proteins for their
electrocatalytic function and the unique properties of the synergistic interactions
between proteins and nanosized materials. Herein, we review the impact of proteins
on energy conversion fields and the contribution of proteins to the improved activity
of the resulting nanocomposites. We address different strategies to fabricate proteinbased nanocatalysts as well as current knowledge on the structure–function relationships of enzymes during the catalytic processes. Additionally, a comprehensive
review of state-of-the-art bioelectrocatalytic materials for water-splitting reactions
such as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER)
is afforded. Finally, we briefly envision opportunities to develop a new generation of
electrocatalysts towards the electrochemical reduction of N 2 to NH 3 using theoretical tools to built nature-inspired nitrogen reduction reaction catalysts.
Keywords Proteins · Nanomaterials · Energy conversion
Daily Rodriguez-Padron and Md Ariful Ahsan contributed equally to this work.
* Alain R. Puente Santiago
arpuentesan@utep.edu
1
Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio
Marie Curie (C-3), Ctra Nnal IV-A, Km 396, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
2
Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Avenue, El Paso,
TX 79968, USA
3
Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment,
Houston 77005, USA
4
Peoples Friendship University of Russia, (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Str.,
117198 Moscow, Russia
237
Reprinted from the journal
Chapter 8 was originally published as Rodriguez‑Padron, D., Ahsan, M. A., Sanad, M. F., Luque, R. &
Santiago, A. R. P. Topics in Current Chemistry (2020) 378: 43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-02000306-6.
Topics in Current Chemistry (2020) 378:43
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-020-00306-6
1 3
REVIEW
Proteins‑Based Nanocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Reactions
Daily Rodriguez‑Padron
1
· Md Ariful Ahsan
2,3
· Mohamed Fathi Sanad
2
·
Rafael Luque
1,4
· Alain R. Puente Santiago
2
Received: 2 January 2020 / Accepted: 10 June 2020
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract
In recent years, the incorporation of molecular enzymes into nanostructured frameworks to create efficient energy conversion biomaterials has gained increasing interest as a promising strategy owing to both the dynamic behavior of proteins for their
electrocatalytic function and the unique properties of the synergistic interactions
between proteins and nanosized materials. Herein, we review the impact of proteins
on energy conversion fields and the contribution of proteins to the improved activity
of the resulting nanocomposites. We address different strategies to fabricate proteinbased nanocatalysts as well as current knowledge on the structure–function relationships of enzymes during the catalytic processes. Additionally, a comprehensive
review of state-of-the-art bioelectrocatalytic materials for water-splitting reactions
such as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER)
is afforded. Finally, we briefly envision opportunities to develop a new generation of
electrocatalysts towards the electrochemical reduction of N 2 to NH 3 using theoretical tools to built nature-inspired nitrogen reduction reaction catalysts.
Keywords Proteins · Nanomaterials · Energy conversion
Daily Rodriguez-Padron and Md Ariful Ahsan contributed equally to this work.
* Alain R. Puente Santiago
arpuentesan@utep.edu
1
Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio
Marie Curie (C-3), Ctra Nnal IV-A, Km 396, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
2
Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Avenue, El Paso,
TX 79968, USA
3
Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment,
Houston 77005, USA
4
Peoples Friendship University of Russia, (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Str.,
117198 Moscow, Russia
237
Reprinted from the journal
Chapter 8 was originally published as Rodriguez‑Padron, D., Ahsan, M. A., Sanad, M. F., Luque, R. &
Santiago, A. R. P. Topics in Current Chemistry (2020) 378: 43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-02000306-6.