Recent advances of conjugated polymers-based biohybrid systems for the synthesis of value-added chemicals

Open AccessCCS ChemistryMINI REVIEWS24 Sep 2025Recent advances of conjugated polymers-based biohybrid systems for the synthesis of value-added chemicals Wen Yu, Shengpeng Xia, Miaomiao Zhang, Zhiqiang Gao, Fengting Lv, Yiming Huang, Haotian Bai, Guillermo C. Bazan and Shu Wang Wen Yu , Shengpeng Xia , Miaomiao Zhang , Zhiqiang Gao , Fengting Lv , Yiming Huang , Haotian Bai , Guillermo C. Bazan and Shu Wang https://doi.org/10.31635/ccschem.025.202506431 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail Conjugated polymers have garnered considerable attention for biohybrid systems due to their intrinsic biocompatibility, superior light-harvesting and charge-separation capabilities, and tunable bioconductivity. This review outlines recent breakthroughs and emerging paradigms in conjugated polymer-based biohybrid systems, specifically in the field of biosynthesis, which harness optical and electrical energy to generate chemical energy. We begin by surveying photosynthetic biohybrid systems constructs that couple conjugated polymers with living microorganisms. In these systems, conjugated polymers generate photoactive electrons as "light-trapping antennas" to drive microbial synthetic pathways. Such platforms empower microorganisms to valorize CO2, N2, and other simple substrates into renewable energy fuels and chemicals by utilizing light energy. Beyond solar-driven processes, electrosynthesis biohybrids offer an orthogonal yet equally sustainable strategy by leveraging renewable electricity. In electro-synthetic biohybrid systems, conjugated polymers act as electronic bridges that interface with electroactive microorganisms, significantly enhancing the interfacial electron transfer rate at the material-biological interface and thus boosting the efficiency of electricity-chemical conversion. In summary, these advances not only expand the functional repertoire of conjugated polymer-based biohybrid systems but also inform rational design principles aimed at realizing scalable, sustainable, and programmable biosynthetic platforms ideas to promote their industrial synthesis of chemicals powered by solar and electrical inputs. Download figure Download PowerPoint Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Issue AssignmentNot Yet Assigned Copyright & Permissions© 2025 Chinese Chemical Society Downloaded 0 times PDF downloadLoading ...