Toxic metal ion sequestration by amyloid-mediated fast coacervation

Abstract

Summary Biomass materials have gained considerable attention as sustainable and renewable resources for the production of adsorbents. However, there remain significant challenges to their application scale-up, such as complex production or processing methods, poor stability, high cost, and low adsorption capacity. Herein, we report an environmentally friendly protein-polysaccharide complex that exhibits excellent removal efficiency of toxic metal ions. Through amyloid-mediated coacervation, the bovine serum albumin (BSA) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) complex, which can be formed within 1\xa0min. The adsorbent is effective for the simultaneous removal of multiple toxic metal ions species (Hg2+, Cr3+, Pb2+, Cd2+, As3+, Ni2+, and Co2+) and radioactive elements (uranium) from tap water (at