B.S. GOSHU*#, M.M. WOLDEAMANUEAL**
*Department of Physics, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia#e-mail: belaysitotaw@gmail.com
**Department of Chemistry, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Human hair, a widely discarded biodegradable material, shows potential as a low-cost resource for liquid purification, including water, oils, and industrial fluids. However, its scalability and long-term efficacy remain underexplored. This study assessed human hair’s physical and chemical properties, evaluated its effectiveness in removing contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, oils), and identified challenges and opportunities for scaling hair-based purification systems. Human hair was collected, cleaned, and tested for adsorption capacity in laboratory-scale experiments targeting various contaminants. Hybrid systems combining hair with biochar were also evaluated. Chemical analyses included FTIR and EDX spectroscopy. Hair effectively adsorbs pollutants, with treated mats achieving 92 % turbidity reduction and 83 % heavy metal removal (lead and cadmium), outperforming untreated mats (76 % and 72 %). FTIR analysis revealed peaks at 3,400 cm⁻¹ (hydroxyl groups, moisture) and 1,650 cm⁻¹ (amide I, keratin), with absorbance (0.1–1.2 a.u.) consistent across replicates. EDX confirmed 55 % carbon, 30 % oxygen, 10 % nitrogen, and 5 % sulfur, with trace elements (< 1 %), reflecting keratin’s structure. Statistical analysis showed high reproducibility (±0.02 a.u.) and a strong correlation (r = 0.92, p < 0.01) between hydroxyl intensity and moisture. Hybrid systems improved filtration efficiency and durability, though material degradation and limited reusability were noted. Human hair holds significant potential as a sustainable purification material, supported by its chemical properties and performance. Further researches should optimize processing, enhance durability, and assess scalability for industrial applications.
Key words: Human hair, liquid purification, FTIR, EDX, absorption.
Corresponding author’s e-mail: belaysitotaw@gmail.com