Bacteria-Triggered Mineralization of Silica Shells with Nanochannels for Biocatalysis in Harsh Conditions

Biocatalytic processes using microorganisms are considered efficient and economically and environmentally friendly reactions. However, the viability and function of these microorganisms are prone to being hindered by various practical environments. Here, we reported a bacteria-induced nanochannel structure that endowed the microorganism with biocatalytic ability in harsh conditions. We revealed that the bacteria could trigger the fusion of silica nanoparticles on their surface by the secreted alkaline metabolite, resulting in silica shells with nanochannels on bacteria (bacteria@nSiO₂). The nanochannel structure in silica shells endowed bacteria with biocatalytic ability in multiple harsh conditions. We revealed that these nanochannels could influence the mass transfer from the extracellular to the intracellular environment, which protected the bacteria from excessive toxic substance while preserving the mass exchange during biocatalysis. This feature ensured bacteria@nSiO₂ with efficient bioactivity under harsh conditions for industrial catalysis and degradation of pollution, which cannot be achieved by corresponding native bacteria. Using the crude oil spill as a practical example, we presented that bacteria@nSiO₂ could degrade highly concentrated crude oil, which any reported bacteria cannot achieve. This work emphasized the role of nanochannels in the regulation of cellular functions for enhanced biocatalysis. It also demonstrated a bacteria-triggered nanostructure formation, which is a promising methodology for nanotechnology and provides a strategy for more advanced organism-material hybrids.