Chitosan–poly(acrylamide-co-maleic acid) composite synthesis, characterization, and investigation of protein adsorption behavior

A new environmentally friendly superabsorbent chitosan–poly(acrylamide-co-maleic acid) (chitosan/PAA-MA) was prepared by blending biocompatible chitosan and poly(acrylamide-co-maleic acid) in the polymerization medium. Poly(acrylamide-co-maleic acid) was obtained by direct polymerization of the acrylamide and the maleic acid. The prepared chitosan/PAA-MA superabsorbent composite was characterized by swelling ratio, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The lysozyme was separated using superabsorbent composite. Lysozyme adsorption optimum conditions (such as pH, lysozyme concentration, temperature, and ionic strengths) were determined. The highest lysozyme adsorption was obtained at pH 9 with a maximum adsorption capacity of 220 mg g −1 . The desorption of lysozyme and the reusability of the chitosan/PAA-MA composite were also tested. As a result, this biodegradable polymer-based superabsorbent material will become an alternative for the adsorption of various proteins.