Synthesis of highly active enzyme-metal nanohybrids and uncovering the design rules

Nanobiohybrid CAL-B/MNPs were synthesized through enzyme in situ reduction of metal ions, including noble and non-noble metals. Lipase CAL-B acted as multifunctional reagents (reducing and supporting agents). The hybrid catalysts were systematically characterized by HRTEM, EDX, MALDI-TOF-MS, and XPS analysis, confirming that highly dispersed 3-5 nm nanoparticles were evenly dispersed on lipase matrix without agglomeration. The mechanism of CAL-B reducing metal ions was investigated, revealing that AGLFFSSKDL in the amino acid sequence of CAL-B from 111 to 128 formed a stable spatial structure through hydrogen bonding, which was the key factor for enzyme in situ reduction of metal ions into highly dispersed nanoparticles.