Wool Keratin-Based Nanofibres for Active Filtration of Air and Water

Authors: Aluigi, Annalisa; Vineis, Claudia; Tonin, Claudio; Tonetti, Cinzia; Varesano, Alessio; Mazzuchetti, Giorgio

Source: Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy, Volume 3, Number 3, September 2009 , pp. 311-319(9)

Publisher: American Scientific Publishers

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Abstract:

Large amount of protein wastes, such as fibre by-products from the wool textile industry and poor quality wools from stock-farming and butchery, are currently disposed of. Their pooling and processing would allow the production of innovative bio-plastics suitable for novel large-scale uses (compostable films for agriculture and packaging, filaments for textiles, sanitation and filtration). Since it is known that keratinous materials can absorb toxic substances such as heavy-metal ions, formaldehyde and other hazardous VOCs (volatile organic compounds), applications can also be envisaged in water purification and air cleaning. However, the poor mechanical properties of keratin regenerated from wool restrict processing and practical applications. Therefore, blending keratin with appropriate polymers with better structural properties is a way to overcome the aforementioned problems. In the present work, keratin was extracted from wool and blended with polyamide 6 in formic acid as the common solvent, in order to obtain blend solutions suitable for nanofibre production by electrospinning. Viscosity of the blend solutions decreased with increasing the keratin content, while electrical conductivity (of 2 mS/cm) did not change significantly. Electrospinning produced very thin nanofibres, in the range from 70 to 300 nm, with mean diameter of about 150 nm. The adsorption of heavy metal ions from water was evaluated by immersion of keratin/PA6 nanofibre mats in an aqueous solution of Cr³⁺ and compared with the films obtained by casting from the same solution. For the nanofibre non-wovens the adsorption capacity slightly increased with increasing the keratin content. That of the nanofibre mats was at least one order of magnitude greater than the films obtained by casting. Moreover, whilst the physical efficiency of nanofibre-based filters is well known, the formaldehyde adsorption of protein nanofibres was studied in order to test their suitability for application in "chemical" air cleaning.

Keywords: KERATIN; NANOFIBRES; CHROMIUM ADSORPTION

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1166/jbmb.2009.1039

Publication date: 2009-09-01

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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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Wool Keratin-Based Nanofibres for Active Filtration of Air and Water

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