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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Generation of Scalable, Metallic High-Aspect Ratio Nanocomposites in a Biological Liquid Medium
Published on: July 8, 2015
Highly active, stable and self-antimicrobial enzyme catalysts prepared by biomimetic mineralization of copper
Zhixian Li1, Yi Ding2, Shaomin Li1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China. cebjiang@scut.edu.cn.
Abstract:
A nature-inspired approach to encapsulate enzymes in spindle-like copper hydroxysulfate nanocrystals was developed by a biomimetic mineralization process. Several types of enzymes including glucose oxidase (GOx), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) were successfully encapsulated in copper hydroxysulfate nanocrystals quickly (within 1 hour) with maintained or even greatly enhanced catalytic efficiencies (kcat/KM of Cyt c showed a 143-fold increase) and high stabilities, demonstrating the feasibility of utilizing copper hydroxysulfate nanocrystals as a novel type of nanocarrier for enzyme immobilization. In addition, by this approach, for the first time, we showed that an immobilized enzyme can be endowed with self-antibacterial activity by an inorganic component. This self-antibacterial performance together with the improved catalytic efficiencies and stabilities can greatly benefit the enzymatic catalysis in aqueous media and promote the future development of novel biosensors.
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