Recyclable laccase - filter cartridge system for accelerating nerve agent transformation

Abstract Laccase was immobilized on Electropositive granular media (EGM) consisting of Al(OH)3 precipitate and silica gel through electrostatic adsorption to obtain Lac-EGM with high stability, sustainable recycling capacity, and outstanding environmental tolerance, which could be sealed in a polypropylene filter cartridge for convenient storage and industrial application. Lac-EGM was highly effective in decontaminating not only sarin (GB) and soman (GD), but also V-agents (VX), reaching a removal efficiency of nearly 100% within 30 min, and the toxicities of corresponding decontamination products were significantly reduced. It was the hydroxyl nucleophilic attack that contributed a lot in decontaminating nerve agents, with P-F bond fracture occurring in GB and GD degradation, and P-S bond fracture in VX degradation. Lac-EGM possessed both the inherent remarkable biotechnological applicability of laccase and nucleophilic attack advantages, which highlighted the potential value of nucleophilic attack reactions as a mechanism for the decontamination of nerve agents and broad prospects for water treatment application.