Nanozymes based on coassembly of albumin and photosensitizer for photocontrolled RAFT polymerization

Abstract Photoactive enzymes have been proposed as promising catalysts in photocontrolled reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. However, only a few enzymes have the photoactive properties suitable for initiating RAFT polymerization. Herein, we synthesize nanozymes with uniform and well-defined nanostructures through coassembly of albumin and photosensitizer. The resulting nanozymes feature the absorption bands of the monomeric photosensitizer, facilitating efficient light capture and electron transfer, which lead to high conversion efficiencies in photocontrolled RAFT polymerization. Importantly, the nanozymes show good reusability in multiple rounds of polymerizations and precise controllability of activation and deactivation of the reactions. This work represents the first realization of photoactive nanozymes that can be used for photocontrolled RAFT polymerization and thus will conceivably promote the rational design and catalytic applications of functional nanozymes.