Enzyme mimics in-focus: Redefining the catalytic attributes of artificial enzymes for renewable energy production Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • © 2021 Elsevier B.V.Herein, the advantages of enzyme mimetics by redefining the catalytic attributes and implementing artificial enzymes (AEs) for energy-related applications have presented. The intrinsic enzyme-like catalytic characteristics of nanozymes have become a growing area of prime interest in bio-catalysis. The development of AEs has redefined the concept of catalytic activity, opening a wide range of possibilities in biotechnological and energy sectors. Nowadays, power-energy is one of the most valuable resources that enable the development and progress of humanity. Over the last 50 years, fossil fuels' burning has released greenhouse gases and negatively impacted the environment and health. In 2019, around 84% of global primary energy came from coal, oil, and gas. Therefore, a global energy transition to renewable and sustainable energy is urgently needed to generate clean energy as biofuels and biohydrogen. However, to achieve this, the implementation of natural enzymes brings more significant challenges because their practical application is limited by the low operational stability, harsh environmental conditions, and expensive preparation processes. Hence, to accelerate the transition, promising substitutes are AEs, well-defined structures made of organic or inorganic materials that can mimic the catalytic power of natural enzymes. Despite being still in the midst, enzyme mimics overcome the main obstacles for a conventional enzyme. It opens future opportunities to optimize the production of renewable energies with excellent performance, high efficiency, and increasingly competitive prices. Thus, this work is a comprehensive study covering the promising potential of AEs, as biocatalysts, specifically for renewable energy production.

publication date

  • May 15, 2021