Preparation of PVA/amino multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite microspheres for endotoxin adsorption

A novel polyvinyl alcohol-amino multi-walled carbon nanotube (PVA-AMWCNT) nanocomposite microsphere was prepared successfully for the first time and used for endotoxin removal. The resulting AMWCNT modified PVA microsphere was characterized by SEM, Raman spectrum and fluorescence image, which indicated AMWCNT was dispersed into the macropores of PVA microsphere uniformly. The PVA-AMWCNT microspheres showed better adsorption capability and faster adsorption equilibrium for endotoxin in aqueous solution when compared to the PVA microsphere with polymyxin B (PMB) as ligand. More noteworthy, the PVA based microspheres had little nonspecific adsorption in simulated serum. Therefore, PVA-AMWCNT nanocomposite microsphere with an excellent haemocompatibility has a great potential application in clinical blood purification.