Iron sulfide-catalyzed gaseous CO2 reduction and prebiotic carbon fixation in terrestrial hot springs
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Understanding abiotic carbon fixation provides insights into early Earth’s carbon cycles and life’s emergence in terrestrial hot springs, where iron sulfide (FeS), similar to cofactors in metabolic enzymes, may catalyze prebiotic synthesis. However, the role of FeS-mediated carbon fixation in such conditions remains underexplored. Here, we investigate the catalytic behaviors of FeS (pure and doped with Ti, Ni, Mn, and Co), which are capable of H 2 -driven CO 2 reduction to methanol under simulated hot spring vapor-zone conditions, using an anaerobic flow chamber connected to a gas chromatograph. Specifically, Mn-doped FeS increases methanol production five-fold at 120 °C, with UV−visible light (300–720 nm) and UV-enhanced light (200–600 nm) further increasing this activity. Operando and theoretical investigations indicate the mechanism involves a reverse water-gas shift with CO as an intermediate. These findings highlight the potential of FeS-catalyzed carbon fixation in early Earth’s terrestrial hot springs, effective with or without UV light.
Source: Nature Communications
Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, National Institute for Materials Science, UNSW Sydney, East China University of Technology, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Tianjin University, Hokkaido University, Curtin University
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,790
Funders: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, University of New South Wales, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Hokkaido University, Max-Planck-Institut für Terrestrische Mikrobiologie, State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Australian Research Council, State Key Laboratory for Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China Institute of Technology
OpenAlex ID: W4404824735