Work

Clostridium butyricum mineralization of intracellular gold nanoclusters to boost biohydrogen production using visible light

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Photocatalytic intracellular biohybrid systems hold great potential for enhancing biohydrogen production using solar energy. yet conventional approaches face nanoparticle toxicity and inefficient transmembrane electron transfer. Here, we developed an intracellular biohybrid system via in-situ biomineralization of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs, 2.15 ± 0.68 nm) within C. butyricum . This biosynthesis leveraged native ion-transport proteins for Au(III) uptake, synthesizing photocatalytically active Au NCs through cysteine-mediated reduction. This intracellular engineering confines photoexcitation and electron transfer within bacterial cells, eliminating transmembrane energy losses. As expected, the photoexcited Au NCs significantly enhanced intracellular NADH regeneration and ATP synthesis versus dark controls, boosting metabolic reducing power and energy. This resulted in a 70.42% increase in hydrogen production (2.34 mol H 2 ·mol -1 glucose). Furthermore, Au NCs eliminated reactive oxygen species (ROS), improving system viability and stability under visible light. This work establishes a platform for engineering biocompatible hybrid systems via endogenous nanophotocatalyst self-assembly.

Source: Green Energy & Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.gee.2025.12.008

Authors: Yaoqiang Wang, Gang Xiao, Jianmin Xing, Haijia Su