Protein structure preservation by MWCNTs/RTIL nano-composite

The structure changes of hemoglobin (Hb) and glucose oxidase (GOx), as two typical proteins, upon interaction with MWCNTs and MWCNTs-[BMIM]BF4− was studied. The ability of MWCNTs and MWCNTs-([BMIM]BF4−) for the achievement of direct electrochemistry of GOx and Hb and enhancing the electron transfer rate between proteins and electrode surface was compared. Also the data obtained by various techniques including UV-vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that the structure of Hb or GOx conjugated with supramolecular network of the nano-composite could be preserved much better than those absorbed on MWCNTs. It seems that ionic liquid provides a favorable microenvironment to maintain the protein native structures.