Microporous carbon-nitrogen fibers from keratin fibers by pyrolysis

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 118; no. 3; pp. 1752 - 1765
• Main Authors: Senoz, Erman, Wool, Richard P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05.11.2010; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; bio-based materials; Carbon; chicken feather fibers; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; hydrogen storage; keratin; Keratins; microporous; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Porosity; protein crosslinking; Pyrolysis; Reproduction; Surface chemistry; Technology of polymers; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Pyrolysis; chicken feather tibers; Crosslinking; Inorganic adsorbent; bio-based materials; Experimental study; Mineral fiber; Porous material; hydrogen storage; protein crosslinking; Keratin; Pore size; Microporosity; Activated carbon; Natural fiber; Morphology; Animal fiber; Reaction mechanism; Animal protein; Chemical composition; Animal waste; microporous; Thermal degradation; Carbon fiber
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.32397

A two-step pyrolysis method was developed for poultry keratin fibers to convert them into high temperature resistant and adsorbent fibers while retaining their original physical appearance and affine dimensions. Nearly all accessible pores in the microporous pyrolyzed chicken feather fibers (PCFF) have a diameter less than 1 nm and could be used in applications, such as adsorption, hydrogen storage, and separation of small gas molecules. An intermolecular crosslinking mechanism in the first step of pyrolysis at 215°C for 24 h provided an intact fibrous structure with no subsequent melting. The second step of the pyrolysis at 400-450°C for 1 h resulted in a microporous material with a narrower pore size distribution than commercial activated carbons. Surface and bulk characterization techniques including XPS, total carbon-nitrogen, and FTIR were utilized to examine property changes occurring during the two pyrolysis steps. A partially cyclic carbon-nitrogen framework (carbon/nitrogen ratio = 2.38) supported by double and triple bonds, and oxygen functionalities is the suggested structural model for the PCFF.