Synthesis of organosilicon sol-gel matrices and preparation of heterogeneous biocatalysts based on them

Abstract

Hybrid organosilicon structures prepared by the sol-gel method from tetraethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, and polyethylene glycol 3000 under the conditions of base catalysis were used as a matrix for immobilization of whole cells of methylotrophic yeast for developing heterogeneous biocatalysts. The influence of the precursor ratio on the time of formation of the organosilicon sol-gel structure under the conditions of base catalysis was examined. According to the IR data, the structure obtained with 50 vol % methyltriethoxysilane has the highest content of Si-O-Si bonds. Examination by scanning electron microscopy showed that microorganism cells under these conditions are centers of formation of the sol-gel structure.