Shaping and Mechanical Reinforcement of Silica Aerogel Biocatalysts with Ceramic Fiber Felts

The synthesis of silica aerogels reinforced with either carbon or silica fiber felts and which encapsulate the lipase PS of Amano (LPS AB025407) obtained from Burkholderia cepacia is described. The materials were further shaped by molding them in Teflon tubes. The silica aerogels were synthesized with various ratios of hydrophobic groups and dried according to the supercrit. CO2 method. Both types of reinforcements improve the catalytic activity of the material per mass of lipase. The fiber felts reinforcements also enable the encapsulation of higher concns. of lipase. The materials were shaped into small molded monoliths, which were readily washed and recycled without significant mech. deterioration or loss of catalytic activity. In addn., hydrophobic carbon felts reinforce more efficiently silica aerogels that incorporate a high ratio of hydrophobic groups, while silica felts strengthen those aerogels that carry a low proportion of hydrophobic groups.