Fabricating covalent organic framework capsules with commodious microenvironment for enzymes

enzyme activity is still of formidable challenge. Herein, we created a sacrificial templating method, using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as sacrificial templates to construct hollow covalent organic framework (COF) capsules for enzyme encapsulation. This strategy can provide capacious microenvironment to unleash enzyme molecules. The improved conformational freedom of enzymes, enhanced mass transfer and protective effect against external environment ultimately boosted the enzymatic activities. We also found that this strategy possesses high versatility that is suitable for diverse biomacromolecules, MOF templates and COF capsules. Moreover, the dimensions, pore sizes and shell thickness of COF capsules can be conveniently tuned, allowing for customizing bioreactors for specific functions. For example, coencapsulation of different enzymes with synergistic functions were successfully demonstrated using this bioreactor platform. This study not only opens up a new avenue to overcome the present limitations of enzymatic immobilization in porous matrixes but also provides new opportunities for construction of biomicrodevices or artificial organelles based on crystalline porous materials.