Application of novel chicken feather nanoparticles in wastewater detoxification. Thermodynamics and mechanism of the adsorption of heavy metal ions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66817/b4w49f47Keywords:
Chicken feather nanoparticles, biosorption, Pb(II), Cu(II), Langmuir, FTIR, thermodynamics, keratinAbstract
Chicken feather nanoparticles (CFNP) were investigated as a sustainable keratin-based biosorbent for the removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties, surface functional groups, equilibrium behaviour, and thermodynamic characteristics of CFNP were evaluated to elucidate its adsorption potential and underlying mechanisms. CFNP exhibited a slightly alkaline pH of 8.45, low moisture content (5.76%), high loss on ignition (81.65%), and low bulk density (0.51 g/cm³), indicating a predominantly organic, keratin-rich and lightweight material. FTIR analysis showed characteristic O–H/N–H, C–H and amide I–III bands, while spectral changes after metal loading indicated participation of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing functionalities in metal uptake. Langmuir model provided the best equilibrium description, with maximum adsorption capacities of 256.41 and 119.05 mg/g for Cu(II) and Pb(II), respectively, and high coefficients of determination (R² = 0.9818 and 0.9937). The Langmuir separation factors (RL) of 0.403 for Cu(II) and 0.111 for Pb(II) confirmed favourable adsorption. Freundlich n values (>1) and strong Temkin fits further indicated surface heterogeneity and coverage-dependent adsorption energetics. D–R characteristic energies suggested possible ion-exchange contributions, although such values cannot independently establish chemisorption. Thermodynamic analysis showed positive ΔH° values of 22.77 and 26.06 kJ/mol for Cu(II) and Pb(II), respectively, confirming endothermic adsorption, while negative ΔG° values demonstrated spontaneity. Overall, CFNP represents a promising, low-cost and sustainable biosorbent for divalent metal remediation.
References
Ahmed, W., Mehmood, S., Mahmood, M., Ali, S., Shakoor, A., Núñez-Delgado, A., Asghar, R. M. A., Zhao, H., Liu, W., & Li, W. (2023). Adsorption of Pb(II) from wastewater using a red mud modified rice-straw biochar: Influencing factors and reusability. Environmental Pollution, 326, 121405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121405
Al-Ghouti, M. A., & Da’ana, D. A. (2020). Guidelines for the use and interpretation of adsorption isotherm models: A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 393, 122383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122383
Al-Ghouti, M. A., et al. (2022). Isotherm models for adsorption of heavy metals from water—A review. Chemosphere, 307, 135545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135545
Ali, R. M., Hamad, H. A., Hussein, M. M., & Malash, G. F. (2016). Potential of using green adsorbent for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions: Adsorption kinetics, isotherm, thermodynamic, mechanism and economic analysis. Ecological Engineering, 91, 317–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.03.015
Aluigi, A., Zoccola, M., Vineis, C., Tonin, C., Ferrero, F., & Canetti, M. (2007). Study on the structure and properties of wool keratin regenerated from formic acid. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 41, 266–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2007.03.002
Bai, T., Zhao, J., Tian, L., Zhang, L., & Jin, Z. (2024). The adsorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution using KOH-modified banana peel hydrothermal carbon: Adsorption properties and mechanistic studies. Materials, 17, 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17020311
Bezzina, J. P., et al. (2023). The Dubinin–Radushkevich models: Dissecting the ps/p to cs/ce replacement in solid-aqueous interfacial adsorption and tracking the validity of E = 8 kJ mol−1 for assigning sorption type. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2023.09.020
Burakov, A. E., Galunina, E. V., Burakova, I. V., Kucherova, A. E., Agarwal, S., Tkachev, A. G., & Gupta, V. K. (2018). Adsorption of heavy metals on conventional and nanostructured materials for wastewater treatment purposes: A review. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 148, 702–712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.034
Choi, W. S., & Lee, H. J. (2022). Nanostructured materials for water purification: Adsorption of heavy metal ions and organic dyes. Polymers, 14, 2183. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14112183
Crini, G., & Lichtfouse, E. (2019). Advantages and disadvantages of techniques used for wastewater treatment. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 17, 145–155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-018-0785-9
Dhaouadi, F., Sellaoui, L., Badawi, M., Sellaoui, L., Reynel, H., Mendoza-Castillo, D. I., Jaime-Leal, J. E., Bonilla-Petriciolet, A., & Lamine, A. B. (2020). Statistical physics interpretation of the adsorption mechanism of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ on chicken feathers. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 319, 114168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114168
El Hammari, L., Hamed, R., Azzaoui, K., Jodeh, S., Latifi, S., Saoiabi, S., Boukra, O., Krime, A., Boukra, A., Saoiabi, A., Hammouti, B., Khan, M. M., Sabbahi, R., Hanbali, G., Berisha, A., Taleb, M., & Dagdag, O. (2023). Optimization of the adsorption of lead(II) by hydroxyapatite using a factorial design: Density functional theory and molecular dynamics. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11, 1112019. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1112019
Eslahi, N., Dadashian, F., & Nejad, N. H. (2013). An investigation on keratin extraction from wool and feather waste by enzymatic hydrolysis. Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 43, 624–648. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826068.2012.758951
Foo, K. Y., & Hameed, B. H. (2010). Insights into the modeling of adsorption isotherm systems. Chemical Engineering Journal, 156, 2–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2009.09.013
García-Díaz, I., López, F. A., & Alguacil, F. J. (2018). Carbon nanofibers: A new adsorbent for copper removal from wastewater. Metals, 8(11), 914. https://doi.org/10.3390/met8110914
Girish, C. R. (2025). Determination of thermodynamic parameters in adsorption studies: A review. Chemical Papers, 79, 5687–5706. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-025-04218-x
Granado-Castro, M. D., Galindo-Riaño, M. D., Gestoso-Rojas, J., Sánchez-Ponce, L., Casanueva-Marenco, M. J., & Díaz-de-Alba, M. (2024). Ecofriendly application of Calabrese broccoli stalk waste as a biosorbent for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous media. Agronomy, 14, 554. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030554
Hoti, G., Caldera, F., Trotta, F., Zoccola, M., Patrucco, A., & Anceschi, A. (2024). A novel approach for nanosponge: Wool waste as a building block for the synthesis of keratin-based nanosponge and perspective application in wastewater treatment. ACS Omega, 9, 43319–43330. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c09133
Hu, Q., Lan, R., He, L., Liu, H., & Pei, X. (2023). A critical review of adsorption isotherm models for aqueous contaminants: Curve characteristics, site energy distribution and common controversies. Journal of Environmental Management, 329, 117104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117104
Jaffar, F. H., Othman, M. H. D., Ismail, N. J., Puteh, M. H., Kurniawan, T. A., Bakar, S. A., & Abdullah, H. (2024). Hydroxyapatite-based materials for adsorption and adsorptive membrane processes for heavy metal removal from wastewater: Recent progress, bottlenecks and opportunities. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 164, 105668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2024.105668
Jaishankar, M., Tseten, T., Anbalagan, N., Mathew, B. B., & Beeregowda, K. N. (2014). Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 7, 60–72. https://doi.org/10.2478/intox-2014-0009
Jamil, T. S., Ibrahim, H. S., Abd El-Maksoud, I. H., & El-Wakeel, S. T. (2010). Application of zeolite prepared from Egyptian kaolin for removal of heavy metals: I. Optimum conditions. Desalination, 258, 34–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2010.03.052
Kar, P., & Misra, M. (2004). Use of keratin fiber for separation of heavy metals from water. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 79, 1313–1319. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.1128
Karim, A., Raji, Z., Karam, A., & Khalloufi, S. (2023). Valorization of fibrous plant-based food waste as biosorbents for remediation of heavy metals from wastewater—A review. Molecules, 28, 4205. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28104205
Karnwal, A. (2024). Unveiling the promise of biosorption for heavy metal removal from water sources. Desalination and Water Treatment, 319, 100523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100523
Majd, M. M., Kordzadeh-Kermani, V., Ghalandari, V., Askari, A., & Sillanpää, M. (2022). Adsorption isotherm models: A comprehensive and systematic review (2010–2020). Science of the Total Environment, 812, 151334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151334
Meena, A. K., Kadirvelu, K., Mishra, G. K., Rajagopal, C., & Nagar, P. N. (2008). Adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) metal ions from aqueous solutions by mustard husk. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 150, 619–625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.05.011
Ndekei, A., Gitita, M., Njomo, N., & Mbui, D. (2021). Synthesis and characterization of rice husk biochar and its application in the adsorption studies of lead and copper. International Research Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry, 22, 36–50. https://doi.org/10.9734/irjpac/2021/v22i430402
Nikiforova, T., Kozlov, V., & Islyaikin, M. (2019). Sorption of d-metal cations by keratin from aqueous solutions. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 7, 103417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2019.103417
Oladimeji, T. E., Oyedemi, M., Emetere, M. E., Agboola, O., Adeoye, J. B., & Odunlami, O. A. (2024). Review on the impact of heavy metals from industrial wastewater effluent and removal technologies. Heliyon, 10, e40370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40370
Puccia, V., & Avena, M. (2021). On the use of the Dubinin–Radushkevich equation to distinguish between physical and chemical adsorption at the solid-water interface. Colloid and Interface Science Communications, 41, 100376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colcom.2021.100376
Revellame, E. D., Fortela, D. L., Sharp, W., Hernandez, R., & Zappi, M. E. (2020). Adsorption kinetic modeling using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order rate laws: A review. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 1, 100032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2020.100032
Saha, S., Zubair, M., Khosa, M. A., Song, S., & Ullah, A. (2019). Keratin and chitosan biosorbents for wastewater treatment: A review. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 27, 1389–1403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-019-01433-x
Salaudeen, A. O. (2020). Biosorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions: An insight and review. Archives of Industrial Engineering, 3, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.31829/2637-9252/aie2020-3(1)-113
Salaudeen, A. O., Aduloju, E. I., Okike, O., Oladokun, B. N., & Adedeji, S. A. (2022b). Adsorption of Pb(II) using sheep fur: Isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamic studies. Asian Journal of Applied Chemistry Research, 12, 27–33. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJACR/2022/v12i4229
Salaudeen, A. O., Bonilla-Petriciolet, A., Mendoza-Castillo, D. I., Okafor, C. C., Sellaoui, L., & Badawi, M. (2022a). Thermodynamics and mechanism of the adsorption of heavy metal ions on keratin biomasses for wastewater detoxification. Adsorption Science & Technology, 2022, 7384924. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7384924
Salaudeen, A. O., Chibueze, C. O. (2020). Comparing the different methods used in the determination of thermodynamic parameters using adsorption of Pb(II) onto chicken feather as an example. Journal of Materials Science Research and Reviews, 6, 1–11. https://journaljmsrr.com/index.php/JMSRR/article/view/114
Salaudeen, A. O., Vuanghao, L. (2025). Metabolomics approach in environmental studies: Methodologies, application and challenges. Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408347.2025.2521734
Salaudeen, A. O., Wosilat, F. A., Haruna Dede, A., & Habeeb, A. (2018). Isotherm studies of the biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) using chicken feather. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 1, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajarr/2018/v1i413094
Sepehri, S., Kanani, E., Abdoli, S., Rajput, V. D., Minkina, T., & Asgari Lajayer, B. (2023). Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions by adsorption on stabilized zero-valent iron nanoparticles—A green approach. Water, 15, 222. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15020222
Sheraz, N., Shah, A., Haleem, A., & Iftikhar, F. J. (2024). Comprehensive assessment of carbon-, biomaterial- and inorganic-based adsorbents for the removal of the most hazardous heavy metal ions from wastewater. RSC Advances, 14, 11284–11310. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA00976B
Tchounwou, P. B., Yedjou, C. G., Patlolla, A. K., & Sutton, D. J. (2012). Heavy metal toxicity and the environment. In A. Luch (Ed.), Molecular, Clinical and Environmental Toxicology (Experientia Supplementum, Vol. 101, pp. 133–164). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8340-4_6
Tighadouini, S., Radi, S., Roby, O., Hammoudan, I., Saddik, R., Garcia, Y., Almarhoon, Z. M., & Mabkhot, Y. N. (2022). Kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibrium, surface modelling, and atomic absorption analysis of selective Cu(II) removal from aqueous solutions and rivers water using silica-2-(pyridin-2-ylmethoxy)ethan-1-ol hybrid material. RSC Advances, 12(1), 611–625. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA06640D
Wang, J., & Chen, C. (2009). Biosorbents for heavy metals removal and their future. Biotechnology Advances, 27, 195–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2008.11.002
Wang, J., & Guo, X. (2020). Adsorption kinetic models: Physical meanings, applications, and solving methods. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 390, 122156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122156
Wang, L., Shi, C., Pan, L., Zhang, X., & Zou, J.-J. (2020). Rational design, synthesis, adsorption principles and applications of metal oxide adsorbents: A review. Nanoscale, 12, 4790–4815. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9NR09274A
Xu, Q., Huang, X., Guo, L., Wang, Y., & Jin, L. (2021). Enhancing removal of Cr(VI), Pb²⁺, and Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions using amino-functionalized cellulose nanocrystal. Molecules, 26(23), 7315. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237315
Yahaya, N., Saad, Y., & Abubakar, A. (2024). Adsorption studies of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cr³⁺ from aqueous solution using Azadirachta indica seed husk and Adansonia digitata seeds. Science Journal of Chemistry, 12, 73–85. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjc.20241204.12
Yun, X., Ma, Y., Zheng, H., Zhang, Y., Cui, B., & Xing, B. (2022). Pb(II) adsorption by biochar from co-pyrolysis of corn stalks and alkali-fused fly ash. Biochar, 4, 66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-022-00189-4
Zhang, J., Li, Y., Li, J., Zhao, Z., Liu, X., Li, Z., Han, Y., Hu, J., & Chen, A. (2013). Isolation and characterization of biofunctional keratin particles extracted from wool wastes. Powder Technology, 246, 356–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2013.05.034
Zhu, L., Yao, Y., Chen, D., & Lan, P. (2022). The effective removal of Pb²⁺ by activated carbon fibers modified by L-cysteine: Exploration of kinetics, thermodynamics and mechanism. RSC Advances, 12(31), 20062–20073. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA01521H
Zou, C., Jiang, W., Liang, J., Sun, X., & Guan, Y. (2019). Removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions by adsorption on magnetic bentonite. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 26, 1315–1322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3652-0
Zubair, M., Roopesh, M. S., & Ullah, A. (2025). Green nanoengineered keratin-derived bio-adsorbent for heavy metals removal from aqueous media. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 9, e2400491. https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.202400491
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Transnational Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Sustainability
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
