Surface energetics and surface chemistry of chicken feather mat for oil spill cleanup application

This study was conducted to determine the potential of chicken feather mat (CFM), a new biosorbent for oil spill cleanup operations. The surface properties of the CFM in motor oil were determined using Inverse-Gas Chromatography Surface Energy Analyzer and compared to those of polypropylene pad (a conventional sorbent) subjected to the same treatment. The surface properties determined were the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area (BET-SSA), dispersive and specific (acid-base) surface energies, specific free energies of adsorption and acid-base numbers, and thermodynamic work of cohesion and adhesion. Results showed that the BET-SSA of the CFM in engine oil (13.67 m2/g) was higher than that of polypropylene pad in engine oil (8.03 m2/g). Additionally, the results of the dispersive and specific (acid-base) surface energies, specific free energies of adsorption and acid-base numbers, and thermodynamic work of cohesion and adhesion show that the CFM is as hydrophobic and oleophilic as the polypropylene pad, suggesting that the CFM is as good as the polypropylene pad in terms of oil sorption. Thus, CFM, an agrowaste, has the potential to be used as a biosorbent for oil spill cleanup operations.