BIOSORPTION OF PRECIOUS-METAL IONS BY CHICKEN FEATHER

Chicken feather (C-feather) is an intricate network of stable and wate r-insoluble protein fibers with high surface area and is an abundant b ioresource. C-feather protein was found to accumulate various precious metal ions (gold and platinum metals) selectively from their dilute a queous solutions in high yield and in short contact time, depending on PH and characteristics of the individual precious metal ions. Under c ertain condition, the sequestering level of precious ions, Au(III), Pt (II), and Pd(II) approaches about 17, 13, and 7% of dry wt of C-feathe r, respectively. Gold(III) potassium cyanade was also accumulated up t o 5.5% at PH 2.0. The presence of 100-fold (mol) of coexisting cations , such as Na+, Fe(III), Cu(II), and Ni(II), did not show a discernible effect on the precious metal uptake rate and capacity of C-feather. E xperiment suggested C-feather is promising for use in the removal/reco very of precious metals as well as water pollution control. A qualitat ive discussion is given about the excellent adsorption behavior of C-f eather.