Valorization of keratin biofibers for removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions

Four common waste keratin biofibers (human hair, dog hair, chicken feathers, and degreased wool) have been used as biosorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Different parameters of the biosorption processes were optimized in batch systems. For multiple-metal systems, consisting of a mixture of eight metal ions [Cr(III), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II)], the total metal biosorption increased in the order: degreased wool¿>¿chicken feathers¿>¿human hair¿>¿dog hair. From the kinetic models tested, the pseudo-second-order model provided better results. Furthermore, biosorption isotherms of Pb(II) with the different keratin biofibers fitted the Langmuir model. Surface morphology of the biosorbents were analyzed before and after the sorption using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The keratin biofibers tested are potentially good sorbents of metal ions, with degreased wool and chicken feathers being the more efficient onesPostprint (author's final draft

CONPLUMAS: valorización de residuos biogénicos fibrosos para la obtención de nuevos materiales

Postprint (published version

Experiència per a la integració compartida de competències genèriques a les assignatures d’experimentació en enginyeria química

Peer Reviewe

Properties and optimal manufacturing conditions of chicken feathers thermoplastics biocomposites

The aim of this study was the analysis and characterization of composites based on thermoplastics (ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropilene and high-density polyethylene) and chicken feathers. Several composite samples with a content of 20% v/v of chicken feathers have been studied to determine the optimal manufacturing conditions of temperature, mixing time, and mixing speed to achieve the best tensile properties. The results have shown that the addition of micronized chicken feather (20% v/v) to thermoplastic matrices increases stiffness and provides a more brittle behavior. Ethylene vinyl acetate matrix also shows an ability to participate in second-order intermolecular interactions with chicken feathers, providing better tensile properties (tensile strength and toughness) than polypropilene and high-density polyethylene. Optimal manufacturing conditions were found for a mixing time of around 5min; a mixing speed of 50rmin 1 ; and temperature values of 160 C in case of high-density polyethylene, 120 C for ethylene vinyl acetate, and 170 C for polypropilene. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy analysis have been performed in order to provide further understanding of the compatibility and microstructural features that support the tensile properties of the materialsPostprint (author’s final draft

Evolution et principes fondamentaux des essais de solidité: lumière et intempérie

El objetivo del presente trabajo es mostrar la evolución y los fundamentos que sustentan los ensayos normalizados modernos de solidez a la luz y a la intemperie de los textiles, para comprender el porqué de los mismos y la validez de los métodos actualesThe aim of this paper is to show the evolution and fundamentals of modern standardized methods to measure colour fastness of textiles to light and weathering, to understand the reasons of their development and the validity of the current testsLe but de cet article est de montrer l'évolution et les bases des essais normalisés modernes de solidité à la lumière et aux intempéries de textiles, afin de comprendre les raisons et la validité des méthodes actuellesPeer Reviewe

Use of chemically treated human hair wastes for the removal of heavy metal ions from water

Human hair is considered a ubiquitous waste product and its accumulation can cause environmental problems. Hence, the search for alternatives that take advantage of this waste as a new raw material is of interest, and contributes to the idea of the circular economy. In this study, chemically modified human hair was used as a low cost biosorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. The effect of the contact time, the pH, and the biosorbent concentration on the biosorption process were investigated. Kinetic modeling indicated that the pseudo-second order kinetic equation fitted well with R2> 0.999. Furthermore, the equilibrium data fitted the Langmuir adsorption isotherm at 295 K resulting insaturation concentrations of9.47×10-5, 5.57×10-5, 3.77×10-5,and3.61×10-5mol/g for the sorption of Cr(III), Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), respectively. The biosorption process did not change the chemical structure and morphology of the hair, which was shown by FTIR and SEM. In addition, desorption experiments prove that 0.1 mol/L EDTA solution is an efficient eluent for the recovery of Pb(II) from the treated human hair. To summarize, treated human hair showed satisfactory biosorption capacity and can be considered as an effective biosorbent for the treatment of waterwith a low concentration of heavy metal ionsPostprint (published version

Towards circular economy by the valorization of different waste subproducts through their incorporation in composite materials: ground tire rubber and chicken feathers

Incorporation of residua into polymeric composites can be a successful approach to creating materials suitable for specific applications promoting a circular economy approach. Elastomeric (Ground Tire Rubber or GTR) and biogenic (chicken feathers or CFs) wastes were used to prepare polymeric composites in order to evaluate the tensile, acoustic and structural differences between both reinforcements. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymeric matrices were used. EVA matrix defines better compatibility with both reinforcement materials (GTR and CFs) than polyolefin matrices (HDPE and PP) as it has been corroborated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), termogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, composites reinforced with GTR showed better acoustic properties than composites reinforced with CFs, due to the morphology of the reinforcing particlesPostprint (published version

Novel treatment to immobilize and use textiles microfibers retained in polymeric filters through their incorporation in composite materials

Microplastics (MPs, size < 5 mm) are among the most environmentally challenging pollutants. Their continuous and cumulative inflow or generation in the environment is what makes them drastically problematic. These pollutants can come from a wide variety of sources; hence, they are potential vectors that pose extensive risks to environmental and human health. Microfibers (MFs) are one type of MPs. Among the most well-known types of MFs are those detached from textile articles from household laundering or industrial processes. Currently, there are many ways to retain the MFs detached from textile articles. However, as far we know, there are no methods of valorizing the retained MFs. As such, we propose a novel and sustainable treatment method to immobilize MFs in a polymeric matrix, turning them into a composite. To determine the mechanical properties of the expected composites, different proportions of polyester MFs were mixed with low-density polyethylene, which is the material proposed for the immobilization of MFs. The results show that the optimum manufacturing composition was 10% (v/v) polyester MFs in the polymeric matrix. This composition improved some of the tensile mechanical properties of the polymeric matrix. Once the composites are obtained, these can be used for different purposesThis research was funded by the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Empresa i Coneixement de la Generalitat de Catalunya (AGAUR 2018_DI_022)Postprint (published version

Caractérisation par spectrophotométrie FT-IR du PVC soumis à une dégradation thermochimique en milieu acide oxydant

El presente estudio pretende profundizar en los efectos que provoca la exposición con HNO3 sobre la estructura del PVC. A tal fin se han sometido una serie de probetas a exposición en medio HNO3 a distintas concentraciones (0, 6, 30 y 60 % en peso) durante un período de tiempo hasta 90 días a temperaturas comprendidas entre -15 y 60ºC. La técnica utilizada para medir los cambios químicos y microestructurales que han experimentado las probetas sometidas a estas condiciones de degradación es la espectrofotometría FT-IR.This work studies the effects caused by HNO3 exposition in PVC’s structure. The samples of PVC have been submitted to different concentration (0,6,30 y 60% in weight), temperatures (between –15 and 60ºC) and different periods of exposition. The extent of degradation was determined by evaluating the chemical changes and microestructural changes in PVC by means of FT-IR spectrophotometry.Ce travail vise à approfondir l’étude des effets de l’exposition au HNO3 sur la structure du PVC. Pour ce faire, plusieurs éprouvettes ont été exposées au HNO3 à différentes concentrations (0,6, 30 et 60% de poids) sur une période de 90 jours maximum, à des températures comprises entre –15 et 60 °C. La spectrophotométrie FT-IR a été la technique utilisée pour mesurer les modifications chimiques et micro-structurelles observées dans les éprouvettes soumises à ces conditions de dégradation

Sustainable filtering systems to reduce microfiber emissions from textiles during household laundering

During laundering, synthetic textiles (polyester, polyamide, etc.) can release small fiber debris with a length of <5 mm. These are a type of microplastics (MPs), usually referred to as microfibers (MFs), which are considered high-concern pollutants due to their continuous and cumulative entrance into the environment. Currently, as far as we know, there are no feasible alternatives to remove them. In this work, four new and sustainable filtering systems are proposed to retain the MFs emitted from domestic washing machines. The filters contain a replaceable cartridge partially filled with recycled low-density polyethylene pellets. The four designed filtering systems of different sizes were tested in a household washing machine determining the retention efficiency of the MFs after several washing cycles. It was found that all four assessed filter arrangements have a good performance for retaining MFs from the washers’ effluents. Filter F1 (diameter of 4 cm and a height of 30 cm) started retaining more than 50% of the MFs, at the 10th washing cycle, the retention climbed to 66%, while in the 20th washing cycle, its retention was greater than 80%. MF retention was higher for filter F2 (diameter of 6.3 cm and a height of 41 cm), achieving a performance greater than 90% in the 20th washing cycle. Filter F3 was arranged by turning the F1 model flow upside down and the retention efficiency is higher compared with filter F1 values, reaching a retention efficiency of almost 100% in the 15th washing cycle. Finally, filter F4 arrangement was developed using the existing washing machine filter, obtaining better performance than the F1 and F2 filters, reaching efficiencies higher than 90% at the 20th washing cycle. In summary, depending on the arrangement, the microfiber retention efficiency was estimated between 52% and 86% in the 1st washing cycle and up to 83% to 99% in the 20th. Additionally, all arrangements demonstrated that the cartridges may last for more than 30 washing cycles before needing to be replacedThis research was funded by the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Empresa i Coneixement de la Generalitat de Catalunya (AGAUR 2018_DI_022)Postprint (published version