Enhancing laccase stability and activity for dyes decolorization using ZIF-8@MWCNT nanocomposite

The continuous use of chemical dyes in various industries, and their discharge into industrial effluents, results in severe problems to human life and water pollution. Laccases have the ability to decolorize dyes and toxic chemicals in industrial effluents as green biocatalysts. Their possible industrial applications have been limited by poor reusability, low stability, and loss of free laccase action. In this research, laccase was immobilized on zeolitic imidazolate framework coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Laccase@ZIF-8@MWCNTs) via metal affinity adsorption to develop an easy separable and stable enzyme. The optimum reaction conditions for immobilized laccase are at a pH of 3.0 and a temperature of 60 °C. The immobilized laccase was enhanced in storage and thermal stability. The results indicated that Laccase@ZIF-8@MWCNTs still maintained 68% of its original activity after 10 times of repeated use. Most importantly, the biocatalytic system was applied for decolorization of different dyes (20 mg·L −1 ) without a mediator, and up to 97.4% for Eriochrome black T and 95.6% Acid red 88 was achieved in 25 min. Biocatalysts with these properties may be used in a variety of environmental and industrial applications.