Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of Metal-Organic Frameworks Mimicking Carbonic Anhydrase

The natural enzyme carbonic anhydrase has gained attention in recent years for its ability to catalyze the interconversion of aqueous carbon dioxide (CO2) and bicarbonate. However, it lacks the efficiency to qualify practical usage on a large scale due to its inherent deficiency and fragile nature. On the other hand, its active center can be used as an ideal model for the design of novel catalytic materials targeting carbon dioxide capture and sequestration. This study focused on the synthesis of a zinc-based metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF-1) mimicking the carbonic anhydrase using the solvothermal method. Important properties such as catalytic ability, thermal stability, and reusability were investigated as well. Zn-MOF-1 demonstrated the ability to catalyze the para-nitrophenyl acetate hydrolysis, the thermal stability up to 400℃, and the high reusability in basic solutions. These results suggested that the Zn-MOF-1 can be potentially applied to CO2 conversion