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Wool Keratin Nanofibres for Copper(II) Adsorption

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In this study, mats made of randomly oriented pure keratin nanofibres (∼400 nm diameter) were prepared by electrospinning and tested for Cu2+ adsorption. Batch adsorption tests were carried out at pH 6, with different Cu2+ concentrations and contact times. The adsorption capacity and the removal efficiency are higher than those of conventional wool fabrics. This behaviour is due to the higher specific surface area of the nanofibres. By using an adsorbent dosage (mass of adsorbent/volume of the solution) of 1 g/L, the maximum adsorption capacity was 20 mg/g. The adsorption isotherm of the nanofibre mats fitted the Langmuir equation and the separation factor (R L), calculated to evaluate the adsorption efficiency, falls between 0 and 1 denoting a favourable adsorption. The mean free energy adsorption (E) evaluated applying the Dubinin-Radushkevich model is 12.9 kJ/mol, proving that electrostatic interactions are potentially involved in the sorption process.

Keywords: ADSORPTION; CU2+; KERATIN; NANOFIBRES; PROTEIN; WOOL

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 April 2012

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  • The goal of the creation of a biobased economy is challenging to agriculture, forestry, academia, government and industry. The extractable resources of the Earth are finite, regardless of the quibble over when they will be depleted. The economic, political and social demands for biobased chemicals, materials and energy are expected to radically transform the materials industries, particularly the plastics industry as well as the biofuel industry. These changes will be based on the principles of sustainability, eco-efficiency, industrial ecology, and green chemistry and engineering. In keeping with the growth of knowledge in this field, there is a strong need for a forum to share original research related to biobased materials and bioenergy. The Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy (JBMB) has been created as an international peer-reviewed periodical to fulfill the need for communication in these research areas. This journal will encompass related research activities in all fields of science, engineering and the life sciences.
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