Chemical and Morphological Characterization of Crinis Carbonisatus

Abstract BackgroundCrinis Carbonisatus, prepared by pyrolysis of human hair, is traditional Chinese medicine used for increasing blood clotting and wound healing. Its use is explored in literature but no detailed structural study is reported.ObjectiveThis work is aimed at studying the chemical and morphological variation of Crinis Carbonisatus under given heating condition.Materials and methodsCrinis Carbonisatus was obtained after pyrolysis of human hair at 300 °C in sealed ceramic pot. The obtained samples were characterized in terms of its physicochemical properties by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). ResultsDistinct morphology with nano-particulate structure was observed on SEM micrographs. FTIR spectroscopy of the samples revealed the presence of functional groups like –OH, -COO-­, -NH as well as methyl (-CH3) and methylene (-CH2­-) groups. Graphite interlayer spacing peak appeared in XRD pattern only after 24 h of pyrolysis.ConclusionPyrolysis converts the micron sized particles into the nanometric entities. Amorphous behavior of the materials decreases with the increase in pyrolysis time.