Silica nanobiocatalyst: Advancements toward sustainable and innovative applications

Abstract

Nanobiocatalyst is a useful technological development that brings together modern nanotechnology and biotechnology and offers benefits for enhancing the activity, stability, and performance of enzymes in bioprocessing applications. Nanosupports used in nanocatalysts have a number of advantages over conventional materials, including a robust framework, tunable morphology, increased surface area, excellent pore geometry, inherent properties, and distinctive optical properties for the supporting matrix. Nanobiocatalysts based on silica have been used in drug delivery, optical imaging, pollution control and other catalytic processes. In this review we trace the development of silica-based nano-bio catalysts as a supporting matrix, discussing their structure-property relationships and discuss molecular-level interactions between enzymes and surfaces. The influence of parameters such as pore size, morphology, and surface modifications on immobilisation efficiency and resulting activity is also examined. Additionally, a summary and significant advancements of silica -based nano biocatalysts with potential future applications in the production of biofuel and bioremediation is provided. Overall, the review identifies nano-silica biocatalysts as a promising support and suggests future directions and challenges.