Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Non-covalently Functionalized by Porphyrin–Sn Networks for Protein Adsorption

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were non-covalently functionalized by a uniform layer of a porphyrin–Sn network (denoted as MPT) via a facile one-pot solvothermal synthesis for enhancing protein adsorption. The porphyrin–Sn network layer was assembled by meso-tetra­(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (TCPP) molecules cross-linked by SnCl2. The thickness of the shell layer can be precisely controlled by adjusting the precursor ratio of MWCNTs to TCPP. The structure and properties of the obtained MPT were fully characterized. Under the optimized shell thickness and adsorption conditions, MPT shows an ultrahigh adsorption capacity for proteins such as bovine serum albumin, cytochrome c, lysozyme, and bovine hemoglobin, due to the abundant uniformly distributed adsorption sites on the nanomaterials’ surfaces.