Preparation and Characterization of Keratin-Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Film

Abstract

 
AN ECONOMICALLY feasible method for preparation of ……..keratin/ polyvinyl alcohol composite was proposed. Keratinous materials; namely wool waste, feathers, camel hair, and human hair were dissolved in selected reagents. Dissolution of the said keratinous materials was carried out using alkali metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in presence of swelling agent and reducing agent. A keratin-polyvinyl alcohol composite film was prepared by casting both materials in aqueous solution. Polyvinyl alcohol acts as a carrier for the keratinous material. The range of viscosity of the obtained keratin-polyvinyl alcohol composite, which is suitable to be spread into films, was assessed. The effect of crosslinking of keratin-polyvinyl alcohol film on its mechanical properties as well as hygroscopic properties was monitored. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometric analysis elucidated that the molecular mass of the obtained soluble keratin is not less than 2 Dalton. The elemental analysis of the said composite divulges that only limited change in the carbon, hydrogen, sulphur and nitrogen contents was recorded, compared with the native keratinous substrates.

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