Pore-size tunable mesoporous zirconium organophosphonates with chiral L-proline for enzyme adsorption

Mesoporous zirconium organophosphonates with a tunable mesopore (pore diameter: from 4.8 to 16.3 nm) were synthesized through co-condensation of ZrCl4 and 1-phosphomethylproline (H3PMP) with the aid of organic additives in the presence of an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) under weak acidic conditions. The organic additives, tetrahydrofuran, can effectively strengthen the assembly of ZrCl4 and H3PMP around the surfactant micelles through decreasing the hydrolysis and condensation rate of ZrCl4. The results of the N2 sorption isotherm and SEM image show that zirconium phosphate with a bimodal structure is formed by calcination of mesoporous zirconium organophosphonate. Mesoporous zirconium organophosphonates can effectively adsorb lysozyme (Lz) and papain, and the adsorption equilibrium for Lz can be reached within 30 min. The adsorption capacity for Lz and papain can reach as high as 438 and 297 mg/g, respectively. Furthermore, Lz adsorbed on mesoporous zirconium organophosphonates can retain its structural conformation as in its free state, and no leaching of Lz from the solid was observed when shaking the Lz-loaded solid in a buffer solution. Also, the existence of L-proline in the mesopore could help the adsorption of papain at a pH value lower than the pI of papain.