Chemo-enzymatic phenol polymerisation via in-situ H2O2 synthesis

Abstract

Within this contribution, the combination of supported AuPd nanoalloys with horseradish peroxidase is demonstrated to offer high efficacy towards the one-pot oxidative polymerisation of the model wastewater contaminant phenol, via the chemo-catalytic supply of in-situ generated H₂O_2. Notably, the utilisation of AuPd alloyed formulations offered considerably improved cascade efficiencies, compared to that observed over monometallic analogues, with the optimal 0.5%Au-0.5%Pd/TiO₂ catalyst achieving total conversion of phenol within 15 minutes when used in conjunction with the enzyme. Importantly, the in-situ chemo-enzymatic system was shown to offer good stability over successive reactions, and outperforms analogous approaches reliant on the use of preformed H₂O₂, while also avoiding the proprietary stabilising agents present in the commercial oxidant.