Fabrication and characterization of electrospun feather keratin/poly(vinyl alcohol) composite nanofibers

Abstract

Feathers, which contain more than 90% of keratin, are valuable natural protein resources. Moreover, recycling waste feathers to develop biomaterials contributes to environmental protection. The aim of this study was to fabricate and characterize both random and aligned feather keratin (FK)/PVA composite nanofibers through an electrospinning process. The morphology, molecular interaction, crystallization behavior, and tensile properties of the nanofibers were investigated. The electrospinning process appeared stable and successful for solutions containing no more than 40 wt% of FK. Smooth and bead-free FK/PVA random nanofibers were obtained for all the experimental samples. The fiber average diameter decreased for the random nanofibers and the degree of fiber orientation increased for the aligned nanofibers as the FK content increased. The crystallinity of the nanofibers reduced with the incorporation of FK but the orientation of nanofibers was favorable to crystallization. Random nanofibers exhibited an increased tensile strength when the FK to PVA ratio increased. Tensile strength and elongation at break in the direction of the aligned fibers were improved compared to the random nanofibers at the same FK content. This work demonstrates the potential of expanding the application of nanofiber-based products in the biomaterial field.