Magnetic MOF microreactors for recyclable size-selective biocatalysis

Chem Sci. 2015 Mar 1;6(3):1938-1943. doi: 10.1039/c4sc03367a. Epub 2014 Dec 17.

Abstract

In this contribution we report a synthetic strategy for the encapsulation of functional biomolecules within MOF-based microcapsules. We employ an agarose hydrogel droplet Pickering-stabilised by UiO-66 and magnetite nanoparticles as a template around which to deposit a hierarchically structured ZIF-8 shell. The resulting microcapsules are robust, highly microporous and readily attracted to a magnet, where the hydrogel core provides a facile means to encapsulate enzymes for recyclable size-selective biocatalysis.