Protein adsorption on gold nanoparticles supported by a layered double hydroxide

A composite of gold nanoparticles loaded on a layered double hydroxide (AuNPs-LDH) was prepared by in situ reduction method, and its adsorption for hemoglobin (Hb), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYZ) were investigated. The results show that AuNPs-LDH composite exhibits the different adsorption capacities, and a significantly higher adsorption for Hb was observed. The effects of concentration, pH, and ionic strength of the protein solution on adsorption were examined. The pseudo second order kinetic model was used to simulate the adsorption process of Hb onto the AuNPs-LDH composite. Furthermore, the AuNPs-LDH composite does not deactivate during the adsorption process, and can be easily separated from the reaction system. The results indicate that AuNPs-LDH can be used as an attractive regenerative and recyclable adsorbent for protein.

► Gold nanoparticles could be dispersed on LDH by using an in situ reduction method.
► The introduction of AuNPs could enhance the adsorption capacity of LDH for Hb.
► The composite could be used as a regenerative and recyclable adsorbent for protein.