Constructing Biopolymer-Inorganic Nanocomposite through a Biomimetic Mineralization Process for Enzyme Immobilization

Inspired by biosilicification, biomimetic polymer-silica nanocomposite has aroused a lot of interest from the viewpoints of both scientific research and technological applications. In this study, a novel dual functional polymer, NH(2)-Alginate, is synthesized through an oxidation-amination-reduction process. The “catalysis function” ensures the as-prepared NH(2)-Alginate inducing biomimetic mineralization of silica from low concentration precursor (Na(2)SiO(3)), and the “template function” cause microscopic phase separation in aqueous solution. The diameter of resultant NH(2)-Alginate micelles in aqueous solution distributed from 100 nm to 1.5 μm, and is influenced by the synthetic process of NH(2)-Alginate. The size and morphology of obtained NH(2)-Alginate/silica nanocomposite are correlated with the micelles. NH(2)-Alginate/silica nanocomposite was subsequently utilized to immobilize β-Glucuronidase (GUS). The harsh condition tolerance and long-term storage stability of the immobilized GUS are notably improved due to the buffering effect of NH(2)-Alginate and cage effect of silica matrix.