Composite biomaterials from fibre wastes: Characterization of wool-cellulose acetate blends

Histological components from wool fibre wastes were extracted by an enzyme-ultrasonic treatment, characterised by SDS-PAGE and successively included, in different proportions, in a cellulose acetate matrix to make composite film-forming blends, suitable for film casting and filament spinning. Chemical, thermal and mechanical properties were characterised by FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC, TGA and tensile tests; surface and internal morphology were investigated by SEM and light microscopy. Cortical cells were partially degraded during extraction from wool, but the degradation extent does not depend on the enzyme amount used which, instead, showed an influence on the yield of the cell production. Cellulose acetate-wool cell blends are capable of forming smooth translucent composite films with acceptable tensile, thermal and water absorption properties. Extrusion in the form of filament resulted in a general orientation of the cortical cells in the direction of the fibre axis. Application for keratin-cellulose based bio-composite materials can be envisaged as compostable packaging, disposables, agricultural films, textile fibres with novel properties such as improved fire resistance, moisture regain, dyeing performances, and colour effects, handle and look. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.