Carbon nanotubes synthesis using double stage chemical vapor deposition (DS-CVD) for skim latex protein separation /

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most exciting discoveries in nanoscale sciences. The interest in CNTs is increasing due to their unique properties, large surface area and wide range of application in biomedical and bio-engineering aspects. The present work aims to demonstrate the optimized pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mujawar, Mubarak
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Gombak, Selangor : Kulliyyah of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, 2010
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Online Access:http://studentrepo.iium.edu.my/handle/123456789/4388
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Summary:Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most exciting discoveries in nanoscale sciences. The interest in CNTs is increasing due to their unique properties, large surface area and wide range of application in biomedical and bio-engineering aspects. The present work aims to demonstrate the optimized production of CNTs using fabricated Double Stage Chemical Vapor Deposition (DS-CVD) followed by the evaluation of its application in protein purification. To optimize the process parameters of CNTs production with respect to achieving high purity and yield, a statistical approach using Design Expert software was adopted. The operating parameters namely reaction time, reaction temperature and flow rates of the precursor gases, C2H2 and H2 were varied for production optimization. The CNTs produced were analyzed for purity and morphology using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). Before they were applied for protein purification, CNTs were submitted for acid purification and functionalization. In order to evaluate the capacity of CNTs in protein purification, skim latex serum was used as model protein. Skim latex serum is recovered from skim latex, a by-product of natural latex concentrate industries, which are usually considered as a waste, thus lavishly thrown away. CNTs were used as the column chromatographic media and its nanosized structure will lead to separation of protein from skim latex. As the column chromatographic media, CNTs were used after covalent and non-covalent functionalization and the ability was compared with the non-functionalized ones. Guided by the functional groups available on the surface, CNTs were used differently; functionalized CNTs as in Ion Exchange Chromatography (IEC) media and non-functionalized CNTs as in Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography (HIC) media. For optimization of the purification process, the pH as well as the salt concentration of running buffer were varied. CNTs have been successfully produced by DS-CVD and the statistical analysis reveals that the optimized conditions for the best yield of CNTs production is 850°C reaction temperature, 60 mins reaction time with gases flow rates of 40 and 150 ml/min for C2H2 and H2 respectively. The TGA analysis shows that the purity of CNTs produced as about 95% purity. FESEM and TEM analyses reveal that the uniformly dispersed CNTs have diameters ranging from 35 to 45nm. This work further demonstrated that CNTs can perform as IEC and HIC column chromatographic media. Chromatographic separation of our skim latex protein shows that CNTs can be used as HIC media as compared to IEC. Results show that as usual the efficiency of the protein purification is dependent upon pH and ionic strength of the running buffer. In HIC, bound protein was observed most when chromatography was carried out with 50mM Tris-HCl, pH 7, and using 2M ammonium sulphate as the neutral salt. This study concludes that CNTs produced can be replace the high cost commercialized HIC media in up-scale process. The nano -sized structured CNTs leads to functioning as a better chromatographic media than the commercialized product. CNTs have many uses and this work adds to another dimension in the numerous applications of CNTs.
Item Description:Abstract in English and Arabic.
"A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science (Biotechnology Engineering)"--On t.p.
Physical Description:xvii, 200 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-182).