Bioinspired Photoenzymatic Cross-Membrane Cascade Catalytic System

Enzyme catalysis and photocatalysis utilizing solar energy are both promising pathways in sustainable chemistry. Drawing inspiration from the integrated enzyme-photocoupled systems in thylakoids, thylakoid-inspired microreactors (TIMs) were prepared using modified SiO₂ nanoparticles as the building blocks, with g-C₃N₄-based photocatalysts encapsulated inside and CALB adsorbed on the surface. The thus designed TIMs result in exceptional catalytic efficiency in pyridine oxidation under visible light irradiation (>420 nm), achieving a rate 11.4 times greater than free enzymes and photocatalysts in a bulk solution. The increased contact area at the oil–water interface is the primary factor contributing to this enhancement, alongside the photocatalytic properties and enzyme loading. TIMs provide a robust platform for integrating functional components into a biomimetic, compartmentalized microreactor with spatially controlled organization and high-performance functionality.