Mesoporous catalysts of magnetic nanoparticles and free-radical-producing enzymes, and methods of use
AssigneeCornell University
InventorsStephane C. Corgie, Patarawan Kahawong, Emmanuel P. Giannelis, Larry P. Walker
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Abstract
A composition comprising mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles and free-radical producing enzyme (i.e., enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates), wherein the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles have mesopores in which the free-radical-producing enzyme is embedded. Methods for synthesizing the enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates are also described. Processes that use said enzyme-bound mesoporous aggregates for depolymerizing lignin, removing aromatic contaminants from water, and polymerizing monomers polymerizable by a free-radical reaction are also described.
Claims20
A process for depolymerizing lignin, the method comprising exposing lignin-containing material with a composition comprising self-assembled mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles and a free-radical-producing enzyme wherein said free-radical producing enzyme is magnetically-entrapped without a bonding agent in mesopores of said mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein said free-radical-producing enzyme converts a diffusible substrate into a diffusible product that participates in depolymerizing said lignin.
A process for removing aromatic contaminants from water, the method comprising contacting water contaminated with aromatic substances with a composition comprising self-assembled mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles and a free-radical-producing enzyme, wherein said free-radical producing enzyme is magnetically-entrapped without a bonding agent in mesopores of said mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles wherein said enzyme causes said aromatic substance to precipitate, and removing a precipitate of said aromatic contaminants from said water.
A process for polymerizing monomers polymerizable by a free-radical reaction, the method comprising exposing said monomers to a composition comprising self-assembled mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles and a free-radical-producing enzyme, wherein said free-radical producing enzyme is magnetically-entrapped without a bonding agent in mesopores of said mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein said free-radical producing enzymes causes the polymerization of said monomers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.