Abstract:

The present study evaluated a method to prepare hydrophobic composite non-wovens containing chicken feathers and synthetic fibres (PES, PP). Such non-wovens can be made in aqueous medium using a paper-making method. The raw material (poultry feathers) is abundantly available from slaughterhouses as a waste. The sorption and mechanical properties and a morphological assessment of the prepared non-wovens are presented. The nonwovens were characterised by excellent sorption of a wide range of hydrophobic petroleum substances, good selectivity (sorption of liquids immiscible in water), and were unsinkable. The materials can be used directly on an aqueous surface, as well as on other surfaces such as concrete or asphalt to clean up leaked oily substances. The non-wovens are lightweight, easy to store and use and are inexpensive.