Investigation of carbon nanofiber/metal oxide-protein interactions

Carbon nanofibers are highly biocompatible, nontoxic carbon materials having high surface area and high storage capacity. Surface and adsorption properties of carbon nanofibers can be changed by various modification tecniques such as impregnation or metal oxide loading. The aim of this study is the investigation of the adsorption of carbon nanofibers with proteins and the carbon nanofiber/metal oxide interactions. In the study the adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of Bovin Serum Albumin protein with carbon nanofibers, iron oxide nanopowders, iron oxide nanopowder loaded and potassium hydroxide modified carbon nanofibers were studied. The effects of the amount of adsorbent, pH and temperature on the adsorption of Bovin Serum Albumin protein on all of the adsorbents in aqueous solutions were examined. The adsorption capacities of iron oxide nanopowders, carbon nanofibers and the newly synthesized composites were determined. The highest protein adsorption capacity was determined as 1666.7 mg/g at pH 4.5 and 42 °C conditions for the carbon nanofiber modified with the potassium hydroxide.