Photoreduction of bicarbonate - the role of minerals in prebiotic synthesis

摘要

Photoelectrochemistry on mineral surfaces is hypothesized to have a critical role in prebiotic synthesis. In this study, photoreduction of bicarbonate is used as a probe to investigate the photochemical properties of alabandite (MnS). The apparent quantum yield (Φ) of bicarbonate reduction is determined to be 0.017. Formate is detected as one of the products from bicarbonate reduction. Our results suggest other organic reactions could also be triggered on the MnS surface.