In this study presented, p(HEMA) nanoparticles were synthesized by the emulsion polymerization technique and then activated by a silanization agent, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The APTES-functionalized p(HEMA) nanoparticles that were synthesized were characterized by studies using the Zetasizer, FTIR and SEM. The p(HEMA)-APTES nanoparticles were further modified with phenyl boronic acid (PBA), and these boronate affinity nanoparticles were used for the recognition of some sugars such as galactose, fructose and raffinose. The system parameters (temperature and initial sugar concentration) were optimized for maximum sugar adsorption. The maximum amount of galactose, fructose, and raffinose adsorbed were found to be 4334.5 mg/g; 4334.9 and 810.0 mg/g, respectively (at 25°C, in a phosphate buffer of pH 7.0). Considering the results of this study, it can be concluded that these nanoparticles may be used as a new alternative for the specific recognition of sugar.
Keywords: nanoparticle; phenylboronic acid; sugar recognition.