Magnetically Responsive Horseradish peroxidase@ZIF-8 for Biocatalysts

Here, we studied a catalytically active and magnetically responsive porous bio-composite obtained from the synthesis of ZIF-8 in presence of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme as guest species. Using a one-pot approach in water the precursors of ZIF-8 (zinc acetate and 2-methylimidazole) spontaneously self-assembles around the guest species. We characterized the composite by means of XRD, SEM, FTIR, AFM, and CLSM. SAXS investigation of the kinetics of crystallization showed how the presence of the guest species can act as nucleation seeds. Moreover, we found that the bio-catalytic activity of the HRP/MNP@ZIF-8 biocomposite is 5 times higher than the analoguous composite without MNPs.