Co-immobilization of laccase and ABTS onto amino-functionalized ionic liquid-modified magnetic chitosan nanoparticles for pollutants removal

This work aims to achieve the co-immobilization of laccase and 2,2-binamine-di-3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) to improve removal capability of the biocatalyst for pollutants while avoiding potential pollution caused by ABTS. The laccase was immobilized on magnetic chitosan nanoparticles modified with amino-functionalized ionic liquid containing ABTS (MACS-NIL) based on Cu ion chelation (MACS-NIL-Cu-lac). The carrier was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray diffraction and etc., and electron paramagnetic resonance confirmed the mediator molecule ABTS on the carrier could also play the role of electron transmission. MACS-NIL-Cu-lac presented relatively high immobilization capacity, enhanced activity (1.7-fold that of free laccase), improved pH and temperature adaptability, and increased thermal and storage stability. The removal performance assay found that MACS-NIL-Cu-lac had a good removal efficiency with 100.0 % for 2,4-dichlorophenol in water at 25 °C, even when the concentration reached 50 mg/L. Reusability study showed that after six catalytic runs, the removal efficiency of 2,4-dichlorophenol by MACS-NIL-Cu-lac could still reach 93.2 %. Additionally, MACS-NIL-Cu-lac exhibited higher catalytic efficiencies with 100.0 %, 70.5 % and 93.3 % for bisphenol A, indole, and anthracene, respectively. The high catalytic performance in pure water system obtained by the novel biocatalyst co-immobilizing laccase and electron mediator ABTS showed greater practical application value.