A Light-Activated Microheater for the Remote Control of Enzymatic Catalysis

The remote control of enzymatic catalysis is of significant importance in disease treatment and industrial applications. Herein, we designed a microheater composed of a porous polylactic acid (PLA) matrix and polydopamine (PDA) with notable photothermal conversion capability. Starch hydrolysis, catalyzed by using alpha-amylase, was accelerated in the presence of the microheater under illumination with near-infrared light or natural sunlight at room temperature. Additionally, the methodology was extended to the preparation of microwave-absorbing materials with the deposition of polyaniline on porous PLA matrix. The porous morphology improves the energy-conversion efficiency.