Adsorption of BSA on monodispersed hollow silica nanospheres

• Monodispersed hollow silica nanospheres (MHSNs) were successfully synthesized.
• The hollow silica nanospheres have well-developed mesopores of 4–5 nm.
• The maximum adsorption capacity of the nanospheres for BSA was about 525 mg/g.
• Adsorption rate within the MHSNs was about 10 times faster than that in SBA-15.
• It was proven that the hollow nanospheres are excellent media for BSA adsorption.

Monodispersed hollow silica nanospheres were synthesized in a three step process of emulsion polymerization, the sol–gel reaction, and core dissolution. The physicochemical characteristics of the nanospheres were investigated by scanning electron microscopic, transmission electron microscopic, thermogravimetric, and nitrogen adsorption analyses. The average diameter of the hollow silica nanospheres was about 300 nm, and shell thickness was about 17 nm. In addition, the adsorption characteristics of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were evaluated in terms of initial concentration, contact time, pH, and temperature. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetic data were well explained in the entire experimental region by Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, respectively. Our results show that the synthesized hollow silica nanospheres could be used as a good medium for BSA adsorption.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide