Imidazolium-modified sulfonated polyetheretherketone for selective isolation of hemoglobin

An imidazolium-containing sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) composite, termed as SPEEK–Bmim, was prepared from SPEEK and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. This composite material was characterized by FT-IR, surface charge analysis and elemental analysis. The prepared material could selectively adsorb the protein hemoglobin (Hb). The adsorption efficiency was about 90%. The sorption capacity of the SPEEK–Bmim to Hb was 31.6 μg mg⁻¹, and 84% of the retained Hb could be readily recovered by elution with 0.5% (m/v) aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution. The activity of the eluted Hb was about 91%. This ionic liquid-modified SPEEK composite was used practically for the isolation of Hb from human whole blood.