Multicomponent Interpolyelectrolyte/Catalase Complexes Deposited onto Sand Microparticles with Sorption/Degradation Properties Toward Pollutants

The one-step deposition of binary and ternary polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) based on poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI), catalase (Cat), and poly(sodium methacrylate) (PMANa) onto quartz sand microparticles (180 μm average diameter) resulted in the formation of sand/polyelectrolyte/enzyme composites with sorption/degradation properties, demonstrated in both static and dynamic conditions toward a model pollutant (indigo carmine (IC)). Prior to the deposition onto a solid surface, the capacity of the pairs PEI/Cat, PMANa/Cat, and PEI/PMANa/Cat to form binary and ternary PECs was studied by dynamic light scattering. Then, two types of composites were prepared, either by including Cat in the initial mixture of components used to form the composites (sand/Cat-PECs) or by adding Cat after the sand/PEC composite formation (sand/PECs/Cat). The distribution of the enzyme in the formed shell of the composites or onto the external surface played an important role in the subsequent sorption/degradation of IC in the presence/absence of H2O2. The newly synthesized sand/polyelectrolyte/enzyme composites could immobilize and degrade dye molecules at high flow rates (2–15 mL/min) in dynamic conditions, demonstrating that this new type of composite represent very promising materials for application in water cleaning.