Removal of Brilliant Green Dye from Simulated Wastewater Using Keratin Derived from Chicken Feathers

In this study, keratin chicken feathers (K-CF), which are keratin synthesized from waste chicken feathers, were used as an adsorbent in the sorption process for brilliant green dye removal from the wastewater. The keratin was synthesized by alkaline and acidic hydrolysis of keratin from chicken feathers. Factors affecting the adsorption process including dosage, contact time, initial dye concentration, and temperature, were investigated using batch adsorption process. The percentage removal of the BGD using K-CF was 98.0% at optimal conditions of pH 8, 0.09g/20ml and 40℃. The equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Halsey isotherm models. The Langmuir isotherm model was the best fit, and the maximum adsorption capacity values were 81.3, 65.36, and 454.55 mg/g at 30℃, 40℃, and 50°C, respectively. The adsorption kinetic data corresponded to the pseudo-second-order model at all temperatures. Also, the Thermodynamic parameters, such as ∆G, ∆H, and ∆S were calculated and the results at optimal temperature of 40℃ were -1,268,131KJmol-1, -11.508KJmol-1 and 4051.5KJmol-1 respectively confirming that the adsorptive process is feasible, spontaneous and exothermic in nature. Experimental results showed that the adsorption capacity increased with temperature and the K-CF was an effective adsorbent for removing brilliant green dye.