Repository of Research and Investigative Information

Repository of Research and Investigative Information

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences

Naturally pre-designed biomaterials: Spider molting cuticle as a functional crude oil sorbent

(2020) Naturally pre-designed biomaterials: Spider molting cuticle as a functional crude oil sorbent. Journal of Environmental Management. p. 12. ISSN 0301-4797

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Abstract

Diverse fields of modern environmental technology are nowadays focused on the discovery and development of new sources for oil spill removal. An especially interesting type of sorbents is those of natural origin-biosorbents-as ready-to-use constructs with biodegradable, nontoxic, renewable and cost-efficient properties. Moreover, the growing problem of microplastic-related contamination in the oceans further encourages the use of biosorbents. Here, for the first time, naturally pre-designed molting cuticles of the Theraphosidae spider Avicularia sp. "Peru purple", as part of constituting a large-scale spider origin waste material, were used for efficient sorption of crude oil. Compared with currently used materials, the proposed biosorbent of spider cuticular origin demonstrates excellent ability to remain on the water surface for a long time. In this study the morphology and hydrophobic features of Theraphosidae cuticle are investigated for the first time. The unique surface morphology and very low surface free energy (4.47 +/- 0.08 mN/m) give the cuticle-based, tube-like, porous biosorbent excellent oleophilic-hydrophobic properties. The crude oil sorption capacities of A. sp. "Peru purple" molt structures in sea water, distilled water and fresh water were measured at 12.6 g/g, 15.8 g/g and 16.6 g/g respectively. These results indicate that this biomaterial is more efficient than such currently used fibrous sorbents as human hairs or chicken feathers. Four cycles of desorption were performed and confirmed the reusability of the proposed biosorbent. We suggest that the oil adsorption mechanism is related to the brush-like and microporous structure of the tubular spider molting cuticles and may also involve interaction between the cuticular wax layers and crude oil.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: Crude oil sorption Spider cuticle Biosorbent spill cleanup sorption water removal chitin kapok adsorption chitosan separation mechanism Environmental Sciences & Ecology
Page Range: p. 12
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Environmental Management
Journal Index: ISI
Volume: 261
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110218
ISSN: 0301-4797
Depositing User: مهندس مهدی شریفی
URI: http://eprints.bmsu.ac.ir/id/eprint/8848

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