Design of a graphitic carbon nitride catalytic-biocatalytic system for solar light-based CO2 production

We report that generating (formic acid) and regenerating (NADH/NADPH) from CO2 and NAD(+)/NADP(+) using a nitrogen-rich polymeric carbon nitride catalytic-biocatalytic system under solar light (lambda > 420 nm) could provide a new approach for storage of clean energy. In situ thermally copolymerized urea along with a 1,4-diaminoanthraquinone (AQ) monomer using a modified carbon nitride (CN) photocatalyst (AQBCN) was undertaken. The artificial AQBCN photocatalyst-biocatalyst system led to formic acid (344.12 mu mol) generation and NADH/NADPH regeneration (97.21/95%) in comparison with monomers. Our method could be employed to develop an AQBCN photocatalyst for selective regeneration of NADH/NADPH and CO2 generation.