title: Efficient biocatalytic degradation of pollutants by enzyme-releasing self-propelled motors.
abstract: The first example of a self-propelled tubular motor that releases an enzyme for the efficient biocatalytic degradation of chemical pollutants is demonstrated. How the motors are self-propelled by the Marangoni effect, involving simultaneous release of SDS surfactant and the enzyme remediation agent (laccase) in the polluted sample, is illustrated. The movement induces fluid convection and leads to the rapid dispersion of laccase into the contaminated solution and to a dramatically accelerated biocatalytic decontamination process. The greatly improved degradation efficiency, compared to quiescent solutions containing excess levels of the free enzyme, is illustrated for the efficient biocatalytic degradation of phenolic and azo-type pollutants. The high efficiency of the motor-based decontamination approach makes it extremely attractive for a wide-range of remediation processes in the environmental, defense and public health fields.
authors: Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093 (USA).
authors: Jahir
authors: J
authors: Orozco
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Vilela
authors: Gabriela
authors: G
authors: Valdés-Ramírez
authors: Yuri
authors: Y
authors: Fedorak
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Escarpa
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Vazquez-Duhalt
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D055162:Biocatalysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
keywords: biocatalysis; degradation of pollutants; enzymes; self-propelled tip; self-released agent