Engineering of Covalent Organic Framework-Based Advanced Platforms for Enzyme Immobilization: Strategies, Research Progress, and Prospects

Wang, SZ; Xia, XC; Chen, FE

Abstract

Driven by green and sustainable methodologies for chemical manufacturing, enzymes are forecast to have much to prospect in the coming years due to their high activity and selectivity. However, the fragile active spatial-conformation of an enzyme is predominantly maintained by weak intermolecular interactions, showing quite sensitive to thermal, pH, and chemical chemoreception. Thus, the low activity and recyclability result from structural instability can hardly meet the prototype of green chemistry in commercial process. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are stable extended porous network materials assembled by organic linkers in a moderate way. Due to their pre-designable structures, an enzyme possesses the access to be immobilized to the interior or surface of COF skeletons via covalent or noncovalent processes, which can afford protection to enzymes in harsh conditions. Moreover, with the improved stability and cyclicity, the formed COF/enzyme biocomposites can facilitate broader horizon. Herein, this review mainly canvasses the advances in the emerging field of COF/enzyme biocomposites, sketching the factors that are critical in building COF/enzyme systems and the applications of registered enzyme host platforms reported in recent years.

Keywords: covalent organic frameworks; enzymes; immobilization strategies; multi-applications; porous organic polymers

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Covalent Organic Framework (COF) Materials

Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) are emerging as revolutionary materials in the field of enzyme immobilization, offering significant advantages for various industrial and biotechnological applications. COFs are crystalline and highly porous structures made up of organic molecules linked by strong covalent bonds. Their unique properties, such as large surface areas, customizable pore sizes, and chemical stability, make them ideal candidates for immobilizing enzymes. Enzyme immobilization refers to the process of attaching enzymes to solid supports, enhancing their stability, reusability, and efficiency. Traditional supports, like silica or polymers, often face challenges such as limited stability and inefficient enzyme loading. In contrast, COFs provide a highly stable and versatile platform that can be precisely tailored to optimize enzyme interactions. The high porosity of COFs allows for a greater enzyme loading capacity, ensuring more active sites are available for catalytic reactions. Moreover, COFs can be functionalized with specific groups to create a favorable microenvironment for the enzymes, preserving their activity and increasing their lifespan. This makes COFs particularly useful in industrial processes, where enzymes need to function under harsh conditions, such as extreme pH or high temperatures. By enhancing the performance and durability of immobilized enzymes, COFs hold the potential to revolutionize various sectors, from pharmaceuticals to biofuel production, offering more efficient and sustainable solutions.