Uniform Superparamagnetic Fe3O4/CMCS Composite Nanospheres for Lysozyme Adsorption

In this study, uniform superparamagnetic Fe3O4/carboxymethyl chitosan composite nanospheres with high saturation magnetization were successfully synthesized via a modified inverse emulsion crosslinking approach, using genipin as a cross-linking agent. These nanospheres were then characterized, and their protein adsorption capacity was further investigated under various conditions. The implementation of a sonication treatment of a mixture containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles and carboxymethyl chitosan before the emulsion process significantly promoted the homogeneity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in an aqueous phase system. The Fe3O4/carboxymethyl chitosan composite nanospheres were of uniform spherical structure, were approximately 230 nm in size, and possessed superparamagnetic characteristics with a mean saturation magnetization as high as 35 emu g(-1), corresponding to a magnetite content of 43%. Lysozyme was then employed as a model protein to investigate the effects of pH, incubation time and ion strength on the protein adsorption capacity of the as-synthesized composite nanospheres. The as-obtained composite nanospheres could serve as a promising candidate for fast and efficient protein adsorption.