Enzyme-mediated attachment and detachment of multifunctional and biobased coating aided by digital material design (ENZYFUNC)

Our ENZYFUNC research addresses this problem by developing green, enzymatic methods to functionalize cellulosic surfaces. Purely natural lipids and lignin nanoparticles will be used to produce superhydrophobic, UV-resistant and antimicrobial activity. We will use enzymes both to attach and detach the lipophilic materials to a substrate; enzymatically formed covalent bonds improve the durability of coatings and selective detachment improves the recyclability of the materials. In addition, we aim to optimize the surface area available for the coating layer. To achieve robust and rough coatings mimicking nature’s superhydrophobic materials, we will systematically develop the biocatalytic coating process by advancing from fatty acid molecules to nano- and microparticles of lignin and lipids. Further, computational modelling can predict the wetting properties of fatty acid coatings and adhesion of nanoparticles to fine-tune our process. An environmental impact estimate will guide the coating development to find the most scalable and sustainable approaches. Using cellulose, we target to biobased, durable yet easy to remove, hydrophobic coatings and a coating technology that is applicable in textiles and packaging. The ENZYFUNC project will also promote the development of digital design toolbox expected to be an integral part of future biomaterials design. The multidisciplinary research project will be carried out as a collaboration between Aalto University and two Finnish research organisations: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT), and Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE). The research is linked to two Flagship programmes; FinnCERES and UNITE, allowing us to disseminate the research results broadly to other stakeholders. Several Finnish companies have shown interest to the project and are willing to provide biobased materials for this project.