Corgié S.C., Duan X., Kahawong P., Edwards J., Walker L.P., Giannelis E.P.
Cornell University, US
Keywords: aromatics, free radical, magnetic nanocatalysis, peroxidase, self-assembly
BNCs are self-assembled complexes of magnetic nanoparticles and free-radical producing enzymes, including peroxidases and other oxido-reductases that were shown to have higher activities than their free-enzyme counterparts (up to 30 folds). The BNCs biochemical properties are unique to the complexes. Although, peroxidase-like activities were observed with magnetite nanoparticles themselves, our results demonstrates that it is the complex of the enzymes with the magnetic nanoparticles that is responsible for the enhanced peroxidase activity of the enzyme, acting more specifically on the overall dynamic of the free-radical cofactors. We are therefore reporting a novel enzyme-magnetic nanoparticles system to carry enhanced peroxidase activities for the production of aromatic free-radicals and subsequent peroxidation reactions including polymerization and depolymerization of aromatics. These novel and customable catalysts hence open new opportunities to expand the use and scale of free-radical mediated biochemical reactions for green-chemistry applications including, but not limited to, the remediation of aromatic contaminants in environments and the production lignin-derived high-value chemical feedstocks from lignicellulosics.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2012 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: June 18, 2012
Pages: 304 - 307
Industry sectors: Energy & Sustainability | Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topics: Informatics, Modeling & Simulation, Sustainable Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4665-6277-6