Biphasic biocatalysis using a CO2-switchable Pickering emulsion

Abstract

Biphasic biocatalyses such as the hydrolysis of olive oil and the esterification of octanol with oleic acid were performed in a CO₂/N₂-switchable Pickering oil-in-water emulsion stabilized by silica nanoparticles hydrophobized in situ by a CO₂/N₂-switchable surfactant (N,N-dimethyldodecylamine). Compared with biphasic systems, the enzyme in the Pickering emulsions displays a higher reaction efficiency, and demulsification and recycling of the enzyme can be simply realized by bubbling with N₂/CO₂. Moreover, the recycled enzyme still possesses significant catalytic activity.