Hybrid Materials for the Enzymatic Reduction of Carbon-Dioxide

Enzymes are the catalysts of choice for sustainable and organic solvent free chemical transformations, but there remain issues with the lack of stability and loss of activity of enzymes if their environment is not carefully controlled. In this project new bio-catalytic materials will be synthesised and characterised. The aim is to create robust enzyme-containing materials that have high activity for the reduction of carbon dioxide. Thin hydrogel layers (nm to mm thick) will be grown on solid supports for applications in supported enzyme catalysis. The hydrogel films will be created by the surface initiated ordering of di-peptide amphiphiles into hydrogel matrices both on flat surfaces and inside porous materials. Enzyme stability and activity will be improved in three ways. (1) The activity and stability of enzymes from both mesophiles (organisms that live in moderate environments) and extremophiles (organisms that thrive under extreme conditions) will be compared. (2) The enzyme will be immobilised in a peptide hydrogel matrix that mimics the extracellular matrix in biological organisms. The peptide gel will be a surface bound gel that has an open (99% water by volume) structure ideal for immobilising enzymes while still allowing the diffusion of small molecules in and out. In addition the gel will provide a locally controlled pH environment and prevent unfolding of the protein. (3) To improve stability still further and create a robust material, the hydrogel will be self-assembled on the internal surface area of a highly porous inorganic oxide film. The final product will be an integrated catalytic material that reduces carbon dioxide to formic acid and other useful organic feedstock molecules.

Who will benefit from this research and how will they benefit? There are several potential beneficiaries of the project. The largest beneficiary will be UK society and industry. There is an urgent need to develop technology for carbon dioxide sequestration to mitigate the effects of climate change. At the same time, it is imperative to find ways of synthesising chemicals and fuels without relying fossil fuels or on land-intensive bio-diesels to increase our energy security. The project aims to prove the feasibility of materials for enzymatic CO2 reduction. These materials have the potential to carry out the low cost and high yield reduction of CO2 and therefore to be considerably more energy efficient than existing technologies (e.g. steam reformation using methane and CO2 to produce methanol). The other main beneficiaries of this work will be the UK science base, and through UK industry, UK PLC. If enzymatic CO2 reduction can be shown to be economically feasible, the commercialisation of this technology from the UK will have enormous benefits for the UK knowledge-based economy. What will be done to ensure that they have the opportunity to benefit from this research? Depending on the nature of the results from the project, we will either publish the results in high profile academic journals, or patent the IP for further exploitation. Research documents such as papers, theses, articles and reports will be both stored and disseminated through the online publications store (OPUS) at the University of Bath. OPUS is an open access resource with information for academics and the public. Results will also be presented at international conferences. Relevant results will also be disseminated through the SUPERGEN network (in particular through the SUPERGEN website) and other collaborative projects.In addition an open access website will be created. This website will be attached to my home page and will inform the general public about my research in the area of sustainable chemistry. Public dissemination As an RCUK research fellow, part of my remit is to be involved in public outreach activities. I am involved in the University Ambassadors Scheme, where undergraduates do placements in local schools. I am currently supervising two students on placement in a local comprehensive, and we have just run a successful science day for 15 year 9 pupils who came for a tour of the chemistry department and carried out an experiment in the undergraduate teaching lab. This kind of public outreach activity will continue throughout the duration of this grant. A public exhibition entitled 'doing green chemistry with biology' is already planned for the national science week in 2010. Furthermore, as part of an extensive outreach programme that is already running at the centre for sustainable chemical technologies in Bath (of which I am a member http://www.bath.ac.uk/csct/) we will present our work to the general public in the context of renewable energies and with the aim of raising energy awareness. It is intended to submit and abstract to display our results to the 2010 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. Exploitation and application The University has a strong commitment to patenting and exploitation of IP - there is a fund set aside (Sulis fund) to enable staff to exploit enterprising activities, and if appropriate I will use this resource.