The main objective of the PolyEnzIM project is to obtain cross-linked shells based on enzyme/polyelectrolyte architectures deposited onto different sand microparticles, with potential applications in multiple sorption of pollutants and subsequent transformation/degradation in static/dynamic catalytic processes. PolyEnzIM propose a new and innovative method for core-shell composite materials, environmentally friendly, with high sorption capacity for organic pollutants (dyes, drugs, bisfenol A, humic acids) and subsequent transformation of these in less toxic compounds, inert or complete degraded under the immobilized enzyme influence. The components–sand, polyelectrolytes (polycations/polyanions) and enzymes (catalase, laccase, and peroxidase) – will be assembled by a new and innovative technique: one step deposition by direct precipitation of binary or ternary nonstoichiometric complex in-situ formed followed by subsequent cross-linking for organic shell stabilization around each sand particles. The core-shell sand/(polycation/enzyme) composites will contain a high number of functional groups for pollutants sorption and enough enzyme amounts for subsequent catalytic degradation of pollutant molecules. PolyEnzIM project aims to reduce the production costs by using inexpensive sand and reducing the synthesis time by one-step deposition of all components onto solid surface due the great adhesion properties of the used polyanions.

According to project experimental strategy the PolyEnzIM project specific objectives are:
  (SO1) Fabrication, characterization and testing of core-shell sand composites as a catalytic support for different enzymatic transformations (dyes and drugs degradation) (Project outcome: at least 5 manuscripts to ISI ranked journals, subject for a PhD thesis);
   (SO2) Increasing the capacity of project teams to generate lab-validated solutions for new and significantly improved methods for enzyme immobilization technologies for advanced composite synthesis, as well as their use in dynamic catalysis in columns) (Project outcome: a patent application is foreseen after the project lifetime);
      (SO3) Dissemination of research results at national and international level (Project outcome: at least 6 national/international presentation scientific meetings, a project webpage)