HDCR-katalysierte Hydrogenierung von CO2 zum H2-Carrier Ameisensäure

Hydrogen is considered as a game changer in decarbonization and combating global warming crisis. However, transport and storage of the gas are still challenging tasks. We describe here a unique enzyme from acetogenic bacteria that binds H2 to CO2, thereby producing the liquid organic hydrogen carrier formic acid. A whole-cell-system enables high rates of formic acid production as well as hydrogen production from formic acid. Both processes can be timely separated in one operational unit to generate a biobattery to store and release hydrogen on demand.