Adsorption of acidic, basic, and neutral proteins from aqueous samples using Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with an ionic liquid

We have prepared and characterized Fe3O4 nanoparticles and their binary mixtures (IL-Fe3O4) with 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide as ionic liquid for use in the adsorption of lysozyme (LYS), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and myoglobin (MYO). The optimum operational conditions for the adsorption of proteins (at 0.05–2.0 mg mL−1) were 4.0 mg mL−1 of nanoparticles and a contact time of 10 min. The maximum adsorption capacities are 455, 182 and 143 mg for LYS, BSA, and MYO per gram of adsorbent, respectively. The Langmuir model better fits the adsorption isotherms, with adsorption constants of 0.003, 0.015 and 0.008 L mg−1, in order, for LYS, BSA, MYO. The applicability of two kinetic models including pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order model was estimated on the basis of comparative analysis of the corresponding rate parameters, equilibrium adsorption capacity and correlation coefficients. The adsorption processes are endothermic. The proteins can be desorbed from the nanoparticles by using NaCl solution at pH 9.5, and the nanoparticles thus can be recycled.