A silver cluster-assembled material as a matrix for enzyme immobilization towards a highly efficient biocatalyst

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biocatalysis

Background:

• Silver cluster-assembled materials (SCAMs) offer tunable properties through modular construction.
• Enzyme immobilization is crucial for enhancing enzyme stability, reusability, and catalytic efficiency.
• Developing robust and efficient support matrices for enzyme immobilization remains a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel two-dimensional (2D) silver cluster-assembled material (SCAM), TUS 5.
• To utilize TUS 5 as a support matrix for enzyme immobilization.
• To evaluate the performance of the immobilized enzyme in a kinetic resolution reaction.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel (3,6)-connected 2D SCAM, TUS 5, using Ag12 cluster nodes and tritopic imidazolyl linkers.
• Immobilization of amano lipase PS onto the TUS 5 matrix via electrostatic attraction and surface hydrophobicity.
• Kinetic resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol using immobilized lipase (lipase@TUS 5) via transesterification.

Main Results:

• The TUS 5 SCAM effectively immobilized amano lipase PS, enhancing its activity through interfacial activation.
• Lipase@TUS 5 exhibited significantly improved thermal stability, solvent tolerance, and recyclability compared to native lipase.
• The immobilized enzyme achieved higher conversion rates in the kinetic resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol.

Conclusions:

• The novel 2D SCAM, TUS 5, serves as an effective and robust matrix for enzyme immobilization.
• Enzyme immobilization on TUS 5 enhances catalytic performance and operational stability.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for developing advanced biocatalysts for chemical synthesis.