Study explores the use of biological enzymes as a source to produce hydrogen fuel

A new study by researchers belonging to the University of California, Davis, and the University of Illinois has brought us one step ahead in our efforts to efficiently produce hydrogen fuel. The new research might help the hydrogen fuel industry establish a stronger footing in the global market, and help create more environmentally friendly energy sources. Hydrogen gas is currently generated by using a very complex industrial process that limits its appeal in the green fuel sector. A co-author of the study, Professor Thomas Rauchfuss, Department of Chemistry, says that this made them identify alternative ways to produce biologically-sourced hydrogen, which is much more efficient than the process currently employed.

Biological enzymes, known as hydrogenases, are naturally able to make and burn hydrogen gas. There are two varieties of these enzymes, iron-iron, and nickel-iron, indicating the elements that bring about the chemical reactions. The researchers say that their study focuses on the iron-iron variety as it does the job more efficiently. The team proposed that the sites contained 10 parts, viz., two cyanide ions, two iron ions, carbon monoxide molecules, and two groups of the sulfur-containing amino acid ‘cysteine.’ The team discovered that there was a higher probability that the enzyme’s engine was run by two identical groups consisting of five chemicals, two carbon monoxide molecules, one cyanide ion, one iron ion, and one cysteine group. The groups create one tightly bonded unit, and the two units accumulate to give the engine an overall of 10 components.

Professor Rauchfuss says that the laboratory analysis of the lab-grown enzyme unveiled a final surprise, adding that their recipe is incomplete, but they have concluded that 11 bits are needed to form the active site engine, rather than what they previously believed was 10, and they are looking to find the one final bit. The team says that they are uncertain of the applications of their study on the iron-iron hydrogenase enzyme will lead to, but the research could offer an assembly kit to help other catalyst design projects.