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Three-Dimensional Printable Enzymatically Active Plastics
William H Zhang1, Graham J Day1, Ioannis Zampetakis2
1School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, United Kingdom.
ACS Applied Polymer Materials
|August 19, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel method to create 3D printable plastics with integrated enzymes. These enzyme-plastic nanocomposites offer robust organophosphate detoxification and enhanced mechanical properties for smart material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Enzymes are crucial catalysts but often lack stability and processability in material applications.
- Integrating functional biomolecules into bulk materials remains a significant challenge for creating advanced composites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile method for synthesizing enzymatically active, highly fabricable plastics.
- To create 3D enzyme-plastic nanocomposite structures with tunable properties and sustained enzymatic activity.
Main Methods:
- Formation of electrostatically stabilized enzyme-polymer surfactant nanoconstructs.
- Lyophilization and melting to create stable macromolecular dispersions in organic solvents.
- Co-dissolution of plastics and fabrication of nanocomposites using 3D printing techniques (melt electrowriting, casting, piston-driven).
Main Results:
- Synthesized stable macromolecular dispersions enabling co-dissolution of enzymes and plastics.
- Fabricated 3D nanocomposite structures with intrinsic enzymatic activity (e.g., phosphotriesterase) demonstrating organophosphate detoxification.
- Observed enhanced mechanical properties (compressive Young's modulus) influenced by biomolecule identity, with proteins increasing stiffness.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a versatile route to produce biologically active nanocomposite plastics compatible with advanced 3D fabrication.
- The methodology allows for the on-demand production of robust smart nanomaterial structures with integrated enzymatic functions.
- Biomolecule incorporation not only adds functionality but also modulates the material's nanomorphology and mechanical characteristics.
