The Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Structural Changes in Hydrophobic Silica Aerogels Upon Encapsulation of the LCC ICCG Enzyme

Overview

Journal Gels

Date 2025 Feb 25

PMID 39996635

Authors

Tatiana Alpizar-Rojas

Juan Diego Barboza-Carmona

Erik Butenschon

Guzel Musabirova

Erick Castellon

Jorg Matysik

Isaac F Cespedes-Camacho

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Silica aerogels are highly porous materials known for their low density and extensive surface area, making them ideal for applications in thermal insulation, catalysis, and environmental remediation. This study investigates the structural changes of functionalized hydrophobic silica aerogels used as carriers of the LCC ICCG enzyme. The aerogels were synthesized using the sol-gel method, with trimethylethoxysilane (TMES) as a functionalizing agent to enhance hydrophobicity. The enzyme-encapsulated aerogels were characterized using hyperpolarized Xe NMR, Si NMR, nitrogen sorption analysis, TEM, contact angle measurements, and FT-IR spectroscopy to evaluate their structural and chemical properties. The results confirmed successful encapsulation of the enzyme, as indicated by changes in the pore structure and network morphology. These findings demonstrate that functionalized silica aerogels can effectively support LCC ICCG immobilization, offering a promising approach for plastic degradation applications.

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