Sorption of organic vapors by wool keratin

Abstract

Abstract The absorption and desorption behavior of organic vapors and wool keratin has been investigated. At low relative vapor pressures sorption is Fickian and the rate of diffusion is determined by the size and configuration of the sorbate molecule. For absorption to saturation vapor pressure a second absorption mechanism is involved, depending on the ease with which the sorbate can disrupt the keratin network structure. This mechanism is superimposed on the Fickian mechanism, and the uptake shows non‐Fickian anomalies. On desorption there is an initial rapid removal of sorbate before the rate of removal becomes extremely slow. The amount of retained sorbate in the region of slow removal is dependent on the temperature, the size, and the configuration of the sorbate molecules and has been qualitatively related to the measured diffusion coefficients at low relative vapor pressures.