Silica-based nanomaterials in biocatalysis

Several types of nanostructured materials have been introduced to advance the classical enzyme immobilization methods. Contemporary research is aimed at developing a robust enzyme-mediated catalytic system for its implementation in the industrial biotechnology. Silica nanomaterials offer a biocompatible and versatile platform for an array of applications such as catalysis, pharmaceuticals, therapeutics, drug delivery, and nanodiagnosis. Mainly, silica nanoparticles have been emerged as attractive catalytic support matrices for the immobilization of a wide range of different enzymes. Silica nanocarriers facilitate the biocatalysts to preserve their biocatalytic activity and stability, and thus promoting their potential for a broader range of biocatalysis applications. In this chapter, we provide the recent developments and state-of-the-art applications of a variety of silica nanoparticles as nanocarrier supports for the immobilization of biomolecules and enzymes. The synthesis and modification approaches for silica nanoparticles to improve their physicochemical properties and functional attributes for enzyme immobilization are also discussed.