{"id":504098,"date":"2024-02-20T14:16:58","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T17:16:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/?p=504098"},"modified":"2024-02-20T14:16:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T17:16:58","slug":"from-water-to-hydrogen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/from-water-to-hydrogen\/","title":{"rendered":"From water to hydrogen"},"content":{"rendered":"

An experiment recently carried out at the Sirius synchrotron light source, based at the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) in Campinas, S\u00e3o Paulo (see<\/em> Pesquisa FAPESP issue n\u00ba 269<\/em><\/a>), showed how a certain biological catalyst made water (H2O) scission via electrolysis more efficient. This reaction, which was an electrochemical process that used electricity to decompose water into its constituent elements, is of great interest because, in addition to oxygen, it also provided hydrogen, which has been identified by many experts as the fuel of the future, since it generates no pollution (see<\/em> Pesquisa FAPESP issue n\u00ba 314<\/em><\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cWe discovered that when manipulated in the lab, some enzymes found in nature, including bilirubin oxidase [BOD], accelerated the water-breakdown reaction,\u201d says chemist Frank Nelson Crespilho, a professor at the S\u00e3o Carlos Institute of Chemistry of the University of S\u00e3o Paulo (IQSC-USP) who led the study. \u201cWe did not know why this was happening. Thanks to new equipment developed especially for Sirius, we were able to determine how this enzyme, BOD, behaved during the water-oxidation process. We found that the copper atoms in the enzyme played important roles in the reaction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crespilho believes scientists will be inspired by the part of the enzyme that accelerated the reaction. \u201cIt is interesting that we recognized the important regions of BOD because now synthetic chemists who produce new materials can copy that part of the enzyme and synthesize it in the lab. This will make the catalyst much more affordable and greatly expand its application range,\u201d said the scientist. The catalysts currently used for the process generally contain noble metals, such as platinum and iridium, which are very expensive and thus make large-scale application unfeasible. An article describing the experiment was written by Crespilho’s team, which includes Graziela Sedenho, Rafael Colombo, Thiago Bertaglia, and Jessica Pacheco, and was published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials <\/em>in October. Scientists from the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) also participated in the study.<\/p>\n

Researchers around the world are searching for new water-oxidation catalysts<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bilirubin oxidase was extracted from the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria<\/em>, which is commonly found in soils and on plants. When manipulated in the lab, it catalyzed the water breakdown reaction \u2014 something that does not occur spontaneously in nature. Inside the reactor, the enzyme acted more specifically in the formation of molecular oxygen, which is one of the two reactions needed to break down H2O molecules. The other is the formation of hydrogen, and the two occur concurrently. \u201cFor hydrogen formation, which takes place on one side of the reactor, everything is already better known. There are cheaper and more efficient catalysts. The water-oxidation reaction, however, is very slow, and scientists all over the world are seeking better catalysts for this,\u201d explained Crespilho.<\/p>\n

The researchers were able to observe the behavior of the enzyme during the bioelectrochemical reaction in such detail thanks to the cutting-edge infrastructure at Sirius. The team used the Tarum\u00e3 experimental station of the CARNA\u00daBA beamline, which is still in the scientific commissioning phase, a process involving testing, technical development, routines, and experimental strategies.<\/p>\n

\u201cVarious experiments and scientific topics are addressed in this phase, with the aim of demonstrating the potential of the beamline,\u201d said physicist Helio Cesar Nogueira Tolentino, head of the Heterogeneous and Hierarchical Matter Division at LNLS. Of the 14 beamlines initially planned for Sirius, seven are already operational. Each operates with a different energy band using a proprietary technique. All seven are open to scientists from Brazil and abroad.<\/p>\n

\"\"

L\u00e9o Ramos Chaves \/ Pesquisa FAPESP Magazine<\/span>Monochromator: part of the CARNA\u00daBA beamline at Sirius, where the study was carried outL\u00e9o Ramos Chaves \/ Pesquisa FAPESP Magazine<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Operating since late 2021, the Carna\u00faba beamline is the longest at Sirius. It was designed for X-ray absorption spectroscopy, which enables experiments with different materials on the nanometric scale. In addition to the powerful, superfocused beam of light, Crespilho’s group was also given access to a device recently developed by the LNLS team for biochemical studies.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an electrochemical cell for in situ <\/em>experiments. It is placed in front of the X-ray beam, which is focused on the material being studied at the moment the chemical reaction occurs. With this cell, we can also apply an electrical potential and measure the current or apply the current and measure the potential, which allows us to see how the material responds to these external stimuli, all while the chemical reaction is taking place,\u201d explains Itamar Tomio Neckel, a physicist from the CARNA\u00daBA group at LNLS and the lead developer of the new electrochemical cell, a device small enough to fit in the palm of the hand.<\/p>\n

The biggest challenge, according to the researcher, is to miniaturize everything, since the reactions have to take place in extremely limited physical spaces. Additionally, the conditions found in the laboratories of different users must be simulated. The CARNA\u00daBA beamline is 100 times smaller than a strand of hair and is known as an X-ray nanoprobe.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n \n \n \n <\/picture>Alexandre Affonso \/ Revista Pesquisa FAPESP<\/span><\/div>
\n

The major difference is that the equipment allows the material involved in the experiment to be mapped in situ<\/em>, so the researchers can see the state of the material \u2014 copper for the study in question \u2014 during the different stages of the chemical reaction. \u201cIn these in situ<\/em> experiments, we studied the kinetics in real time. We produced an electrochemical reaction and studied all of its stages with a microscope that gave us real-time information about the structures and chemical states of the elements involved,\u201d explains Tolentino. \u201cThe experiments allowed us to understand the bioelectrocatalytic process, which is very important for hydrogen production. They open further possibilities for producing hydrogen through a reaction that is quite simple and involves common materials.\u201d<\/p>\n

The work by Crespilho\u2019s team was one of 30 projects external to the LNLS that were funded in a call for research to commission the station, which was launched in October. The article published by the IQSC-USP group was the first in the field of bioelectrochemistry, but other experiments have been carried out on the same theme and are soon to be published, including one by a group from Argentina.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe results obtained by the USP group in collaboration with CNPEM show the potential of in situ<\/em> electrochemical studies in conjunction with synchrotron radiation for elucidating important reaction mechanisms in biocatalysis,\u201d says chemist Ana Fl\u00e1via Nogueira, from the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), who was not part of Frank Crespilho’s team. She emphasized the unprecedented use of the technique and its research potential. \u201cIn this study, copper catalytic sites were identified at the nanometric scale. The partnership shows the Brazilian community that our scientists can benefit from the advanced technologies available at Sirius and earn recognition worldwide for characterizing materials at the nanoscale.\u201d<\/p>\n

Projects<\/strong>
\n1.<\/strong>\u00a0Towards a convergence of technologies: From sensors and biosensors to the visualization of information and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnostics (n\u00ba 18\/22214-6<\/a>);\u00a0Grant Mechanism\u00a0<\/strong>Thematic Project;\u00a0Principal Investigator\u00a0<\/strong>Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior (USP);\u00a0Investment\u00a0<\/strong>R$14,050,528.68.
\n2.<\/strong>\u00a0High-performance electrodes in organic batteries and biofuel cells (n\u00ba 19\/12053-8<\/a>);\u00a0Grant Mechanism<\/strong>\u00a0Regular Research Grant;\u00a0Principal Investigator<\/strong>\u00a0Frank Nelson Crespilho (USP);\u00a0Investment\u00a0<\/strong>R$185,392.57.
\n3.<\/strong>\u00a0Hybrid bio-photo-electrochemical cells for solar energy conversion (n\u00ba\u00a0<\/u>19\/15333-1<\/a>);\u00a0Grant Mechanism<\/strong>\u00a0Regular Research Grant;\u00a0Principal Investigator<\/strong>\u00a0Frank Nelson Crespilho (USP);\u00a0Investment\u00a0<\/strong>R$154,168.10.
\n4.<\/strong>\u00a0Development of Van der Waals surfaces for application in biodevices (n\u00ba\u00a0<\/u>21\/05665-7<\/a>);\u00a0Grant Mechanism\u00a0<\/strong>Postdoctoral Fellowship in Brazil;\u00a0Supervisor<\/strong>\u00a0Frank Nelson Crespilho (USP);\u00a0Beneficiary<\/strong>\u00a0Rafael Neri Prystaj Colombo;\u00a0Investment\u00a0<\/strong>R$221,490.30.
\n5.<\/strong>\u00a0In situ studies and use of metalloenzymes in energy conversion and bioelectrosynthesis of fuels (n\u00ba\u00a0<\/u>20\/04796-8<\/a>);\u00a0Grant Mechanism\u00a0<\/strong>Postdoctoral Fellowship in Brazil;\u00a0Supervisor<\/strong>\u00a0Frank Nelson Crespilho (USP);\u00a0Beneficiary\u00a0<\/strong>Graziela Sedenho;\u00a0Investment<\/strong>\u00a0R$353,668.31.
\n6.<\/strong>\u00a0Development of Van der Waals surfaces for application in biodevices (n\u00ba\u00a0<\/u>21\/05665-7<\/a>);\u00a0Grant Mechanism\u00a0<\/strong>Postdoctoral Fellowship in Brazil;\u00a0Supervisor<\/strong>\u00a0Frank Nelson Crespilho (USP);\u00a0Beneficiary<\/strong>\u00a0Rafael Neri Prystaj Colombo;\u00a0Investment\u00a0<\/strong>R$221,490.30.
\n7.<\/strong>\u00a0Bioelectrosynthesis of value-added compounds using atmospheric nitrogen and carbon dioxide (n\u00ba\u00a0<\/u>20\/15098-0<\/a>);\u00a0Grant Mechanism\u00a0<\/strong>Doctoral Fellowship in Brazil;\u00a0Supervisor<\/strong>\u00a0Frank Nelson Crespilho (USP);\u00a0Beneficiary\u00a0<\/strong>Jessica Pacheco;\u00a0Investment\u00a0<\/strong>R$232,584.24.
\n8.<\/strong>\u00a0Microbatteries using bioinspired redox molecules and hydrogels (n\u00ba\u00a0<\/u>20\/03681-2<\/a>);\u00a0Grant Mechanism\u00a0<\/strong>Direct Doctoral Fellowship in Brazil;\u00a0Supervisor<\/strong>\u00a0Frank Nelson Crespilho (USP);\u00a0Beneficiary<\/strong>\u00a0Tiago Bertaglia;\u00a0Investment\u00a0<\/strong>R$217,444.50.<\/p>\n

Scientific article
\n<\/strong>SEDENHO, G. C.\u00a0et al<\/em>.\u00a0Investigation of water splitting reaction by a multicopper oxidase through X-ray absorption nanospectroelectrochemistry<\/a>.\u00a0Advanced Energy Materials.<\/strong>\u00a0oct. 17, 2022.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Research project carried out at the Sirius synchrotron sheds light on breaking water molecules with a new biocatalyst","protected":false},"author":468,"featured_media":504105,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[169],"tags":[211,259,235],"coauthors":[778],"class_list":["post-504098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","tag-biochemistry","tag-chemistry","tag-physics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=504098"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":504115,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/504098\/revisions\/504115"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/504105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=504098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=504098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=504098"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revistapesquisa.fapesp.br\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=504098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}