Transformed in situ fabrication of macroporous carbon network structures from egg membranes and its biomacromolecule adsorption

Abstract Novel carbon material with hierarchical porous network structures was made by a method of transformed in situ route based on eggshell membrane (ESM) under inert atmosphere. The structural, physical, and chemical properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller, and UV–visible. The results showed that materials were crosslinked with fibers in diameters ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 μm to form a network. Furthermore, the ESMs were modified to prepare ordered macroporous materials with average pore size of 1 μm. The macroporous materials were evaluated through the adsorption properties of Pb ²⁺ and bovine serum albumin, indicating good selectivity of macromolecules compared with commercial activated carbon. Pore structure analysis indicated that pore size is an important factor on improving the adsorbing macromolecules ability. The materials holding mixed three‐dimensional networks provide favorable transport channels for macromolecules. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers