DNA-modified polysulphone microspheres for endocrine disruptors and heavy metal ions removal

Porous polysulphone (PSf) microspheres were modified by blending DNA into them and immobilizing DNA onto their surfaces. The DNA-modified microspheres, which were stable in water, were then used to remove endocrine disruptors and heavy metal ions from their aqueous solutions. Such microspheres could effectively accumulate pollutant compounds and endocrine disruptors, such as ethidium bromide, Acridine Orange, biphenyl, dibenzofuran and dibenzo-p-dioxin from their aqueous solutions. PSf microspheres without DNA also accumulated and removed endocrine disruptors due to their porosity and the hydrophobic interaction between the endocrine disruptors and PSf. Endocrine disruptors with and without a planar structure were effectively accumulated and removed by the DNA-modified PSf microspheres. In addition, PSf microspheres were found to be capable of selectively removing heavy metal ions such as Zn2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Cd2+ and Ag+ from their aqueous solutions. These results show that DNA can be used to modify PSf microspheres, with the DNA-modified microspheres having a potential use in environmental applications.