Preparation and characterization of surface modified γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite)-silica nanocomposites used for the purification of benzaldehyde lyase

► Superparamagnetic γ-Fe2O3-silica nanocomposite particles were prepared using the sol-gel technique. ► Surface modification of γ-Fe2O3-silica nanocomposite particles. ► Purification of benzaldehyde lyase (a histidine tagged protein) using maghemite-silica nanocomposites.