Abstract

In the present work, Reactive Red 120-attached poly (2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) nanoparticles (PHEMA-RR120) were synthesized as an adsorbent for the removal of the proteins albumin and globulin. PHEMA nanoparticles were first prepared by surfactant-free emulsion polymerisation. The dye ligand Reactive Red 120 was chemically attached to the PHEMA nanoparticles via a nucleophilic substitution reaction. Characterisation of the PHEMA-RR120 nanoparticles was carried out by specific surface area, dry mass weight of the nanoparticle, SEM, FTIR and Zeta Size analysis. Albumin and globulin adsorption of PHEMA-RR120 nanoparticles was investigated with respect to process conditions (temperature, pH, time, initial concentration and ionic strength), and the re-usability of PHEMA-RR120 was also determined. The albumin and globulin protein adsorption of PHEMA-RR120 nanoparticles was found to be respectively 24.60g/g and 3.95g/g at 25°C, 12.58g/g and 3.86g/g at 37°C, 11.45g/g and 2.69g/g at 45°C. The results show that PHEMA-RR120 nanoparticles can be used for the effective, reusable removal of albumin and globulin due to their large surface area and high adsorption capacity.