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Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Hydrophobic Salt-modified Nafion for Enzyme Immobilization and Stabilization
Published on: July 11, 2012
Use of salt hydrate pairs to control water activity for enzyme catalysis in ionic liquids
Jason A Berberich1, Joel L Kaar, Alan J Russell
1McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Suite 200, 100 Technology Drive, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, USA.
Abstract:
Salt hydrate pairs were used to control water activity in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. It was shown that salt hydrate pairs behave essentially the same in ionic liquids as they do in organic solvents as long as they do not dissolve. Initial rate-water activity profiles were prepared for the immobilized Candida antarctica lipase catalyzed synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate. The ability to use salt hydrate pairs for the control of water activity in ionic liquids should allow for improved comparison of enzyme activity and specificity in ionic liquids and conventional solvents.
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