Red-blood-cell-like BSA/Zn3(PO4)2 hybrid particles: Preparation and application to adsorption of heavy metal ions

Abstract

A novel kind of red-blood-cell-like bovine serum albumin (BSA)/Zn3(PO4)2 hybrid particle is prepared at room temperature by a facile and rapid one-step method based on coordination between BSA and zinc ion. The morphology of the monodisperse hybrid particle shows oblate spheroidal type with a one sided single hole on the surface. The hybrid particle is constructed with BSA/Zn3(PO4)2 nanoplates of 35nm thick. The average particle size of hybrid particle is 2.3μm, and its BET specific surface area is 146.64cm2/g. To clarify the evolution of BSA/Zn3(PO4)2 hybrid particle, SEM and elemental analysis as a function of particle growth time are investigated. The formation mechanism of BSA/Zn3(PO4)2 hybrid particle, which can be described as crystallization, coordination and self-assembly process, is illustrated in detail. The as-prepared BSA/Zn3(PO4)2 hybrid particle is used for adsorption of Cu2+. The hybrid particle displayed excellent adsorption properties on Cu2+. The adsorption efficiency of BSA/Zn3(PO4)2 hybrid particles at 5min and 30min are 86.33% and 98.9%, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity is 6.85mg/g. Thus, this kind of novel adsorbent shows potential application value in ultra-fast and highly efficient removal of Cu2+.