Preparation And Performance Studies On Feather Protein Based Semi-IPNS Superabsorbent Resin

A novel chicken feather protein-g-poly (potassium acrylate)/polyvinyl alcohol (CFP-g-PKA/PVA) semi-IPNs superabsorbent resin (SAR) was produced through graft copolymerization with CFP as a basic macromolecular skeletal material, AA as a monomer and PVA as a semi-IPNs polymer. The results from FTIR, SEM and TGA analysis showed that both CFP and PVA reacted with PKA during the polymerization process. The effects of AA, PVA, initiator and crosslinker content on water absorbency of semi-IPNs SAR were studied. The results showed the optimum condition was that the weight ratio among the CFP, AA and PVA was m(CFP): m(AA):m(PVA)=1:12:2, reaction tempreture50℃, reaction time5h, neutralization degree of AA65%. The highest water absorbency in distilled water and0.9wt%NaCl solution were714.22g/g and70.08g/g, respectively.The swelling behavior in various pHs and saline solutions were also investigated. The water absorbency of SAR reached the maximum at pH=6. The effect of the five cations on swelling had the following order: Al3+> Ca2+> Mg2+> K+> Na+. The water retention test of SAR in nature, under different pressures and in soil demonstrated that SAR had well compressive effect, and the SAR could effectively improve the water retention ability of soil. The superior performance of water absorption and water retention of CFP-g-PKA/PVA semi-IPNs SAR could effectively promote its application in the field of agriculture and gardening.The adsorption of ammonium and phosphate ions from aqueous solution using the CFP-g-PKA/PVA semi-IPNs SAR was studied. The effects of pH value, concentration, contact time and ion strength on NH4+and PO43-removal by CFP-g-PKA/PVA semi-IPNs SAR were investigated using batch adsorption experiments. The results indicated that the SAR had high adsorption capacities and fast adsorption rates for NH4+and PO43-in a wide pH levels ranged from4.0to9.0. Kinetic analysis presented that both NHU+and PO43-removal were closely fitted with the pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, the adsorption isotherms of SAR were best represented by the Freundlich model. The adsorption-desorption experimental results showed the sustainable stability of CFP-g-PKA/PVA semi-IPNs SAR for NH4+and PO43-removal.The CFP-g-PKA/PVA semi-IPNs SAR was also used for the removal of Pb2+, Ni2+and Cr6+ions from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted and the results indicated that the SAR had high adsorption capacities and fast adsorption rates for Pb2+, Ni2+and Cr6+. Kinetic analysis presented that all metal ions removal were closely fitted with the pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, the adsorption isotherms of hydrogel were best represented by the Freundlich model. The adsorption-desorption experimental results showed the sustainable stability of CFP-g-PKA/PVA semi-IPNs SAR for Pb2+, Ni2+and Cr6+removal.The biodegradability of CFP-g-PKA/PVA semi-IPNs SAR was evaluated by soil burying and mold growth method. The weight loss of SAR reached20.6%by burring in soil for60days. The results showed that SAR was environmentally friendly material and had good biodegradability. Compared with soil burying method, the mold growth method had faster degradation rate and better degradation performance for SAR.