Artificial Photosynthesis for Carbon Dioxide Reduction and Conversion

In recent years, solar fuel or chemical production based on the photoreduction or fixation of CO2, the so-called “artificial photosynthesis” has received considerable attention. Thus, the development of an effective catalyst for the conversion of CO2 to useful organic molecules is desirable. Biocatalysts for CO2 reduction and conversion are useful catalyst for the artificial photosynthesis system. In this review, two types of artificial photosynthesis systems for CO2 reduction and conversion consisting of the visible-light sensitizer and biocatalyst are introduced. One is the artificial photosynthesis with visible-light sensitizer and biocatalyst for CO2 photoreduction to formic acid or methanol. The other one is the artificial photosynthesis with visible-light sensitizer, and novel electron carrier molecule and biocatalyst for the carbon-carbon bond formation from CO2 as a feedstock.