Glycine functionalized alumina nanoparticles stabilize collagen in ethanol medium

Abstract

The synthesis of glycine functionalized Al2O3 nanoparticles (Gly@Al2O3) by a simple two-step process employing sucrose as a template was reported. The functionalization of Al2O3 nanoparticles with glycine was confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The interaction of Gly@Al2O3 nanoparticles with collagen fibres was demonstrated using HRSEM, EDX, differential scanning calorimetry and FT-IR analysis. The thermal stability of collagen is enhanced to 74?C upon interaction with Gly@Al2O3 nanoparticles thereby suggesting applications in leather making, biomedicine and cosmetic fields.