Issue 5, 2019

Chemically reactive protein nanoparticles for synthesis of a durable and deformable superhydrophobic material

Abstract

The past few decades have witnessed significant development in the field of artificially biomimicking extremely water repellent interfaces, developed mostly through tedious synthetic processes using synthetic/non-biodegradable polymers and fluorinated derivatives rendering health and environment related hazards. Only a few approaches furnish superhydrophobic materials that can withstand different harsh environments. Here, in this current design, naturally abundant and biodegradable bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein nanoparticles and cotton fibers are rationally selected for environment-friendly green synthesis of a highly sustainable and deformable artificial superhydrophobic material through strategic association of facile and rapid Michael addition reactions between amine and acrylate moieties under ambient conditions without the aid of any catalyst. This protein based nature-inspired interface can endure severe repetitive physical manipulations, abrasions and prolonged (30 days) chemical exposure i.e. extremes of pH, artificial sea water, river water and surfactant contaminated water. This highly durable and compressible superhydrophobic material was successfully exploited for efficient (above 2000 wt%), selective and repetitive removal of contaminating oils from aqueous phases under harsh chemical conditions. Such a durable biomimicking interface derived directly from serum protein following a facile synthetic approach would be useful for developing various other functional materials.

Graphical abstract: Chemically reactive protein nanoparticles for synthesis of a durable and deformable superhydrophobic material

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 jan. 2019
Accepted
06 mar. 2019
First published
07 mar. 2019
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Nanoscale Adv., 2019,1, 1746-1753

Chemically reactive protein nanoparticles for synthesis of a durable and deformable superhydrophobic material

A. Shome, A. M. Rather and U. Manna, Nanoscale Adv., 2019, 1, 1746 DOI: 10.1039/C9NA00031C

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