Porous carbon fibers made from collagen derived from an animal by-product

Abstract

Utilization of reproducible and degradable biomass, particularly that from inexpensive, abundant, and sustainable resources opens an effective way to create high-value carbon materials. Here, we explore for the first time, the direct synthesis of porous carbon fibers from collagen derived from chicken feet in a sustainable method. Chicken feet can provide an abundant supply of young (normally < 42 days old) collagenous tissue which can readily be converted to a purified collagen solution. We have demonstrated a new process using a simple and scalable fiber production technology for the production of large fiber quantities. Porous carbon fibers with diameters range from 30 to 50 μm were formed via wet spinning of collagen materials derived from chicken feet. Glutaraldehyde cross-linked as well as untreated collagen fibers were spun in a buffer coagulation bath without compromising flexibility. The present study provides an affordable solution to a growing agricultural waste disposal and health issue in the agricultural community by developing low-cost fiber production technology.