Research in the Stone Laboratory
Biocatalysis
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Enzymatic catalysts are increasingly sought after across industries for their ability to accelerate reactions, yet their instability under harsh conditions limits their broader application. To overcome this challenge, enzyme immobilization onto solid supports, such as silica or metal-organic frameworks, enhances stability, reusability, and catalytic activity. Co-immobilizing enzymes on adaptable surfaces offers greater versatility, enabling in-situ reaction cascades. A key focus is the development of stable biocatalysts by immobilizing enzymes onto functionalized composites for various applications, such as environmentally friendly processes like dye degradation. The ability of enzymes to break down harmful compounds while producing non-toxic by-products aligns with sustainable chemistry goals. However, issues like the need for hydrogen peroxide activation can hinder efficiency, which is addressed by in-situ peroxide generation through secondary enzymes. This project explores the potential of enzyme-functionalized surfaces to improve stability across varied conditions, such as pH, temperature, and solvent exposure, opening pathways to greener industrial processes.
Structural and Catalytic Investigation of Biogenic Manganese Oxides Produced by P. putida MnB1
Manganese oxides are strong oxidizing agents known to act as suitable catalysts and have excellent electrochemical properties. Some microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas putida MnB1, contain a common class of enzymes, multicopper oxidases, that have been established to be the reason for this catalysis. The biogenic manganese oxide particles (BMOs) produced by bacteria with these enzymes have been applied across various fields, including agriculture, bioremediation, removing toxins from drinking water, and the catalysis of water oxidation. Manganese oxides have been shown to function similarly to the water-oxidizing complex, mimicking its activity in certain conditions. This manganese metal complex acts as a pre-catalyst, providing metal ions needed to assemble a high-surface-area material with high catalytic activity.