In this study, novel, hollow superparamagnetic copper ferrite (CuFe2O4) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by a low-temperature hydrothermal method. The hollow magnetic spheres were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy to confirm their morphology and size. The hollow NPs were demonstrated as the support for biological materials by the immobilization of Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase on the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow spheres. The immobilization of the enzyme was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The immobilized enzyme was shown to have an immobilization efficiency of 84.5%, with approximately 176 mg g-1 of enzyme loading, for the hollow-NPs support. The immobilized enzyme exhibited high storage and temperature stability. The reusability of the immobilized lipase was more than 80% after 10 cycles of repeated use.
Keywords: Hollow nanosphere; Immobilization; Lipase; Magnetic nanoparticles; Storage stability.