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Thermally processed keratin films
Author(s) -
Barone Justin R.,
Schmidt Walter F.,
Liebner Christina F. E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.21901
Subject(s) - plasticizer , keratin , materials science , oxidizing agent , glycerol , polymer , composite material , pressing , chemical engineering , polymer science , chemistry , organic chemistry , medicine , pathology , engineering
Keratin obtained from poultry feathers was modified with glycerol, which acted as a plasticizer. Films were prepared by pressing the modified keratin at temperatures concurrent with typical polymer processing temperatures. The films were completely cohesive as opposed to partially cohesive if pressed under the same conditions without glycerol. The films were “tough” and the mechanical properties show similarities to the properties of commercially available commodity thermoplastics. The keratin films were produced in a few minutes without reducing or oxidizing agents. The keratin films could have potential applications for which environmentally friendly materials are needed, such as food packaging or mulching films. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1644–1651, 2005