Engineering of polystyrene-supported artificial catalytic triad constructed by nanoprecipitation for efficient ester hydrolysis in water

Hydrolytic nanozymes: Preparation, properties, and applications

Hydrolytic nanozymes, as promising alternatives to hydrolytic enzymes, can efficiently catalyze the hydrolysis reactions and overcome the operating window limitations of natural enzymes. Moreover, they exhibit several merits such as relatively low cost, easier recovery and reuse, improved operating stability, and adjustable catalytic properties. Consequently, they have found relevance in practical applications such as organic synthesis, chemical weapon degradation, and biosensing. In this review, we highlight recent works addressing the broad topic of the development of hydrolytic nanozymes. We review the preparation, properties, and applications of six types of hydrolytic nanozymes, including AuNP-based nanozymes, polymeric nanozymes, surfactant assemblies, peptide assemblies, metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, and MOFs. Last, we discuss the remaining challenges and future directions. This review will stimulate the development and application of hydrolytic nanozymes.

Engineering the Hydrophobic Microenvironment in Polystyrene-Supported Artificial Catalytic Triad Nanocatalysts: An Effective Strategy for Improving Catalytic Performance

Hydrophobic environments have been identified as one of the main parameters affecting the catalytic performance of artificial catalytic triads but are often ignored as an approach to engineering these catalysts. Here, we have developed a simple yet powerful strategy to engineer the hydrophobic environment in polystyrene-supported artificial catalytic triad (PSACT) nanocatalysts. Hydrophobic copolymers containing either oligo(ethylene glycol) side chains or hydrocarbon side chains were synthesized and used for the preparation of nanocatalysts through nanoprecipitation in aqueous media. By using the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate (4NA) as a model reaction, we studied the influence of chemical structures and effective constituent ratios of hydrophobic copolymers on the catalytic performance of PSACT nanocatalysts. Additionally, PSACT nanocatalysts could catalyze the hydrolysis of a few carboxylic esters, even polymers, and be reused for five consecutive runs without significant loss of catalytic activity. This strategy may open an avenue for engineering other artificial enzymes, and these PSACT nanocatalysts have potential applications for the hydrolysis of carboxylic esters.

Recent advances in mixing-induced nanoprecipitation: from creating complex nanostructures to emerging applications beyond biomedicine

Mixing-induced nanoprecipitation (MINP) is an efficient, controllable, scalable, versatile, and cost-effective technique for the preparation of nanoparticles. In addition to the formulation of drugs, MINP has attracted tremendous interest in other fields. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the preparation of nanoparticles with complex nanostructures via MINP and their emerging applications beyond biomedicine. First, the mechanisms of nanoprecipitation and four mixing approaches for MINP are briefly discussed. Next, three strategies for the preparation of nanoparticles with complex nanostructures including sequential nanoprecipitation, controlling phase separation, and incorporating inorganic nanoparticles, are summarized. Then, emerging applications including the engineering of catalytic nanomaterials, environmentally friendly photovoltaic inks, colloidal surfactants for the preparation of Pickering emulsions, and green templates for the synthesis of nanomaterials, are reviewed. Furthermore, we discuss the structure-function relationships to gain more insight into design principles for the development of functional nanoparticles via MINP. Finally, the remaining issues and future applications are discussed. This review will stimulate the development of nanoparticles with complex nanostructures and their broader applications beyond biomedicine.

Advances in the One-Step Approach of Polymeric Materials Using Enzymatic Techniques

The formulation in which biochemical enzymes are administered in polymer science plays a key role in retaining their catalytic activity. The one-step synthesis of polymers with highly sequence-controlled enzymes is a strategy employed to provide enzymes with higher catalytic activity and thermostability in material sustainability. Enzyme-catalyzed chain growth polymerization reactions using activated monomers, protein-polymer complexation techniques, covalent and non-covalent interaction, and electrostatic interactions can provide means to develop formulations that maintain the stability of the enzyme during complex material processes. Multifarious applications of catalytic enzymes are usually attributed to their efficiency, pH, and temperature, thus, progressing with a critical structure-controlled synthesis of polymer materials. Due to the obvious economics of manufacturing and environmental sustainability, the green synthesis of enzyme-catalyzed materials has attracted significant interest. Several enzymes from microorganisms and plants via enzyme-mediated material synthesis have provided a viable alternative for the appropriate synthesis of polymers, effectively utilizing the one-step approach. This review analyzes more and deeper strategies and material technologies widely used in multi-enzyme cascade platforms for engineering polymer materials, as well as their potential industrial applications, to provide an update on current trends and gaps in the one-step synthesis of materials using catalytic enzymes.

Engineering of Polystyrene-Supported Acid-Base Catalysts for Aldol Condensation in Water

Aldol reaction in water can effectively limit the formation of Schiff bases that deactivate active amine sites. To date, regulation of cooperative behaviors and morphologies of polymer-supported acid-base catalysts remains...