Phosphorus (P) is essential in the chemistry of life. Inorganic P (or phosphate) is a core component of phospholipids and other cellular structures and serves as the energy currency of cells in the ATP-ADP cycle. We have demonstrated the remarkable ability of cerium oxide nanocrystals to function as artificial phosphatase enzymes that hydrolyze phosphoryl ester bonds and produce phosphate anions in aqueous solutions. By synthetically controlling catalyst morphology, we have identified the active site of dephosphorylation on ceria. Adsorption and pH-controlled kinetic experiments have enabled us to propose the rate-determining step of the reaction. Extension of catalytic dephosphorylation to nucleic acids and phospholipids illustrates the exciting potential of ceria nanomaterials both for mimicking and controlling cellular processes as well as for the sustainable production of P nutrients from renewable biological feedstocks.

Extraction of phosphorus nutrients from biomolecules via ceria nanocatalysts

255th National Meeting (2018)

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