Dear Colleagues,

Enzymes are the most effective biocatalysts approved by nature, which can achieve faster reactions and higher energy efficiency. Unlike other conventional chemical catalysts, biocatalysts are biodegradable and have high selectivity in water under mild conditions. Enzymes have been widely used to convert chemicals to make useful fuels and medicines, kill diseases, detoxify nerve agents, and treat environmental pollution. Recently, it has attracted significant interest in plastic recycling. However, enzymes cannot always economically compete with traditional chemical and inorganic catalysts. The main challenges preventing the widespread use of enzymatic biocatalysts are high cost, limited stability, and separation difficulties. For commercial-scale processes, enzymes are usually immobilized on solid supports for reuse or recycling. If done effectively, immobilization may be advantageous. Among all the methods available, the method of stabilizing enzymes with polymers or polymer-derived particles as support has many advantages in medical and energy applications. Current methods of forming such structures involve direct conjugation or self-assembly, adsorption, microfluidic synthesis, and electrostatic assembly.

This Special Issue aims to demonstrate the latest developments and trends in biocatalyst design and characterization through controlled assembly or synthesis with polymers or other nanostructures.

Prof. Dr. Tao Li
Dr. Shuxiong Chen
Guest Editor

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• Polymer
• immobilization
• self-assembly
• biocatalyst
• enzyme
• functionality
• adsorption
• nanoparticle