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Investigation of the free-radical polymerization of vinyl monomers using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) nanoflowers

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In this study, we report the production of flower-shaped HRP-Cu2+ hybrid nano biocatalyst from the complexation between horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme and Cu2+ ions, and investigate catalytic activity and stability of the obtained nanoflowers on the polymerization of some vinyl monomers (styrene, methylmethacrylate, acrylamide and N-isopropylacrylamide). Polymerizations of these monomers, except water soluble acrylamide, were accomplished under emulsion conditions using cationic, anionic and non-ionic surfactants in the presence of H2O2 and 2,4-pentanedione mediator. Optimum polymerizations were achieved under the conditions of non-ionic surfactant (tween 40) used. HRP-Cu2+ mediated polymerizations resulted in very high yields and molecular weights (Mn) of the polymers. Optimum polymerization of styrene with 84% of yield (Mn= 319 kDa) was accomplished at room temperature. However, the highest polymerization yields for acrylamide (96%, Mn= 171 kDa) and N-isopropylacrylamide (85%, Mn= 185 kDa) was achieved at 70 ºC. Similarly, optimum polymerization of methylmethacrylate was accomplished with 84% of yield (Mn= 190 kDa) at 60 ºC. While free-HRP loses its catalytic activity at 60 ºC and above temperatures, HRP-Cu2+ showed very high catalytic activity and stability even at 70 ºC. Increasing activity and stability of hybrid nanoflowers provide significant advantages for both scientific and industrial applications.
DOI: 10.1007/s00289-025-05664-z
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,790
OpenAlex ID: W4406800257
FWCI: 0.906
Cites: 32
Cited by: 3
Related to: 10