Magnetic nanoparticles embedded microcryogels for bilirubin removal

In this study, for the first time, micro-engineered cryogels embedded with Fe3O4 nanoparticles were developed as magnetic adsorbents. Magnetically controllable microcryogels were produced on a microstencil array chip by cryopolymerization and functionalized by polyethylenimine, as an affinity ligand. Macroporous architecture of both magnetic and non-magnetic microcryogels were evaluated via field emission scanning microscopy. Bilirubin adsorption studies were performed to investigate the optimal removal conditions. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity of magnetic microcryogels increased with higher temperature values while decreased with higher salt concentrations. Plasma bilirubin removal assay showed that the removal of MMs-PEI was much higher (i.e., 13-fold) than that of MMs. Magnetic microcryogels exhibited significant reusability, where the adsorption capacity decreased by 7.8 % after 5 adsorption-desorption cycles. The results showed that magnetic micro-engineered cryogels provided good application potential for bilirubin removal and an alternative for the current methods.