Abstract
This study optimized poultry feathers (PFs) in two steps to remove six trace metals (Cr(6+), As(3+), V(5+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cd(2+)) from contaminated water and evaluated the spent biosorbent's thermal and energy potential. PFs were surface-modified with tetrahydrofuran (THF) and optimized via response surface methodology. Optimal pre-treatment (30 °C, 47 min, 0.015 g ml(-1)) and biosorption (0.17 g, 0.5 h) conditions improved removal of Co(2+) (+31.5%), Ni(2+) (+19.5%), Cd(2+) (+0.6%), and V(5+) (+6.1%), but reduced Cr(6+) (-24.1%) and As(3+) (-1.8%). Thermogravimetric analysis showed higher activation energies for spent biosorbent, with diffusion-controlled degradation confirmed by Coats-Redfern analysis. This dual optimization enhances metal removal and supports scalable bioenergy recovery.