Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP have managed to embed enzymes in plastics without the enzymes losing their activity in the process. The potentials this creates are enormous.
Materials that clean themselves, have anti-mold surfaces or are even self-degrading are just a few examples of what will be possible if we manage to embed active enzymes into plastics. But for the enzyme-specific properties to be transferred to the materials, the enzymes must not suffer damage as they are embedded in the plastic. Scientists at Fraunhofer IAP have developed a solution to the problem as part of the “Biofunctionalization/Biologization of Polymer Materials BioPol” project. Since summer 2018, the project has been running in cooperation with BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg.
该研究旨在在生产规模上生产生物功能化塑料。在酶本身和加工技术方面，已经成功地嵌入了酶。
塑料在百度摄氏度以上加工。相比之下，酶通常不能承受这些高温。研究人员使用无机载体寻求稳定酶的方法。这些载体作为酶的一种保护。作为Fraunhofer IAP的“生物功能化材料和（Glyco）生物技术”部门的“生物官能化材料和（Glyco）生物技术”部门负责人，解释说：“我们使用无机颗粒，例如，这是高度多孔的。酶通过嵌入孔中与这些载体结合。虽然这限制了酶的移动性，但它们保持活跃，并且能够承受更高的温度。“
Stabilized enzymes: not only at the plastic surface, but inside too: The researchers deliberately sought a way of applying the stabilized enzymes not only to the surface of the plastic, but of embedding them into the plastics directly. “Although far more difficult, this technique also prevents signs of wear on the material surface affecting the functionality of the plastics,” explains Thomas Büsse who heads the institute’s processing pilot plant for biopolymers in Schwarzheide.
In order to achieve an optimum material result in the downstream process, the stabilized enzymes have to be distributed as quickly as possible in the hot plastic melt to which they are added, without becoming exposed to excess force or elevated temperatures. A balancing act that tipped in Büsse’s favor: “We have developed a process that is suitable for both bioplastics and for the conventional petroleum-based plastics such as polyethylene. Our investigations also show that once embedded in the plastic, stabilized enzymes are able to withstand higher thermal loads than before. This makes the use of enzymes and all process steps considerably easier.”
Self-cleaning plastics are just the beginning : Until now, the researchers at Fraunhofer IAP have evaluated mainly proteases as their choice of enzyme. Proteases are able to break up other proteins. This lends the plastic functionalized by these proteases a self-cleaning effect. Pipes, for example, would not close up or clog as readily. But other enzymes are being systematically tested as well. The cooperation partners at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg are focusing more closely at enzymes for degrading plastics and toxic substances, for example.
已经生产了第一官能化塑料颗粒，薄膜和注塑体。研究人员已经确定，嵌入在这些产品中的酶保持活性。下一步现在是测试并进一步优化各种应用程序中日常使用的过程。
资料来源：Fraunhofer Applied Polymer Researc研究所
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