Thermal Characteristic of Keratin Fibres from Poultry Feathers and their Suitability to Conversion into Thermoset Biobased Composites

The possibility of using animal wastes in the form of feathers for the production of various types of composites is an extremely original concept, opening to researchers a wide field for experiments and interdisciplinary scientific research. This article presents the results of studies on the thermal stability of keratin from feathers originating from various poultry slaughterhouses, as well as an example of the use of feathers for the production of thermosetting composites. The keratin protein contained in feathers, like any protein, is very sensitive to various external factors, e.g. high temperature. The scientific goal of the research presented in the article was a deep analysis of changes occurring in the structure of keratin protein in feathers during heating. The technological goal was to develop new thermosetting composites based on spun-bonded nonwovens with the addition of keratin fibres from poultry feather wastes.

Natural Keratin and Coconut Fibres from Industrial Wastes in Flame Retarded Thermoplastic Starch Biocomposites

Natural keratin fibres derived from Mexican tannery waste and coconut fibres from coconut processing waste were used as fillers in commercially available, biodegradable thermoplastic starch-polyester blend to obtain sustainable biocomposites. The morphology, rheological and mechanical properties as well as pyrolysis, flammability and forced flaming combustion behaviour of those biocomposites were investigated. In order to open up new application areas for these kinds of biocomposites, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was added as a flame retardant. Extensive flammability and cone calorimeter studies revealed a good flame retardance effect with natural fibres alone and improved effectiveness with the addition of APP. In fact, it was shown that replacing 20 of 30 wt. % of APP with keratin fibres achieved the same effectiveness. In the case of coconut fibres, a synergistic effect led to an even lower heat release rate and total heat evolved due to reinforced char residue. This was confirmed via scanning electron microscopy of the char structure. All in all, these results constitute a good approach towards sustainable and biodegradable fibre reinforced biocomposites with improved flame retardant properties.

Avian keratin fibre-based bio-composites

Purpose This paper aims to use the solvent–casting–evaporation method to prepare new bio-composites with thermoplastic poly(ether urethane) (TPU-polyether) as the polymer matrix and reinforced with natural chicken feather fibre (CFF). Design/methodology/approach To produce the bio-composites, 0 to 60 per cent·w/w of fibres in steps of 30 per cent·w/w were added to the polymer matrix. The uniformity of distribution of the keratin fibres in the polymer matrix was investigated via scanning electron microscopy, and the results suggested compatibility of the TPU-polyether matrix with the CFFs, thereby implying effective fibre–polymer interactions. Findings Addition of natural fibres to the polymer was found to decrease the mass loss of the composites at higher temperatures and decrease the glass transition temperature, as well as the storage and loss modulus, at lower temperatures, while increasing the remaining char ratio, storage modulus and loss modulus at higher temperatures. Originality/value The investigation confirmed that waste keratin CFF can improve the thermo-mechanical properties of composites, simply and cheaply, with potentially large environmental and economic benefits.