NEW CHELATE-FORMING POLYMER MICROSPHERES CARRYING DYES AS CHELATORS FOR IRON OVERLOAD

Dye-incorporated [poly(EGDMA-HEMA)] microspheres were investigated as a new chelate forming polymer for iron overload. Poly(EGDMA-HEMA) micr ospheres, in the size range of 150-200 mu m, were produced by a modifi ed suspension polymerization of EGDMA and HEMA. The reactive dye-ligan ds (i.e. Cibacron Blue F3GA, Alkali Blue 6B and Congo Red) were covale ntly incorporated to the microspheres. The maximum dye incorporations were 16.5 mu mol Cibacron Blue F3GA g(-1) 23.7 mu mol Alkali Blue 6B g (-1), and 14.5 mu mol Congo Red g(-1). The maximum Fe(III) adsorptions on the dye-incorporated microspheres from aqueous solutions containin g different amounts of Fe(III) ions were 51.0, 37.3, and 25.1 mg g(-1) for the Cibacron Blue F3GA, Alkali Blue 6B, and Congo Red carrying mi crospheres, respectively. The maximum Fe(III) adsorptions were observe d at pH 4.0 in all cases. Fe(III) removal from human plasma was also i nvestigated. The maximum adsorption capacities of Fe(III) ions from hu man plasma for Cibacron Blue F3GA, Alkali Blue 6B, and Congo Red, were of 12.0, 7.5, and 3.8 mg g(-1) polymer, respectively. It was observed that Fe(III) could be repeatedly adsorbed and desorbed without signif icant loss in adsorption capacity.