A Keratin-Waste Derived Multifunctional Gel System: Reusable Activated Carbon/Alginate Microbeads for Simultaneous Dye and Pharmaceutical Adsorption.

ABSTRACT: The resource utilization of keratin waste has garnered significant attention, yet the processing of yak hair keratin in underdeveloped regions such as Tibet and Qinghai in China remains challenging. This study addresses these concerns by carbonizing yak hair keratin waste using a steam flash explosion (SFE) technique for 150 s, which is followed by activation with KOH at various ratios and subsequent to produce activated carbon (AC) samples. The AC was then combined with sodium alginate (Alg) at different ratios, pH and applied voltage to yield AC-Alg gel microbeads using an electrospinning method. The characterization of the AC and AC-Alg gel microbeads was conducted using SEM, BET, TG, and FT-IR analysis. In adsorption studies, AC-Alg_0.5U gel microbeads prepared with optimized

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12940087 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature