Preparation and characterization of organo-functionalized silicas for bilirubin removal

tHybrid-silica materials containing octyl, phenyl and urea-propyl functional groups were reported. Thesefunctionalized silicas were prepared by a via one-pot synthesis method through co-condensation oftetraethyl ortosilicate with organosilanes co-precursors. The obtained materials were analyzed by anumber of techniques including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction pattern and nitrogen sorption measurement. The main elements: morphology andsurface properties of the final products that are basically dependent on the type and the quantity offunctional-containing groups were fully discussed. The adsorption properties of the modified silicas wereinvestigated against bilirubin in aqueous solution at pH 7.4, the effect of time was studied as well. Themodified silicas showed a greatly increasing of adsorption capacity for bilirubin compared to pure amor-phous silica. The results indicate that the type of functional-containing groups and surface propertiesaffect the adsorption behavior. These materials show a potential application as effective adsorbents forbilirubin removal.