Exploring Waste Wool Derived-Keratin Nanofiber Architectures on Cotton Fabrics: Electrospinning Strategies for Enhanced Material Properties

Basbug B., Beycan B., KALKAN ERDOĞAN M., KARAKIŞLA M., SAÇAK M.

ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS, vol.6, no.13, pp.7417-7429, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 6 Issue: 13
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1021/acsapm.4c00603
  • Journal Name: ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex
  • Page Numbers: pp.7417-7429
  • Keywords: electrospinning, janus and core−shell morphology, nanofiber, poly(2-ethyl 2-oxazoline), wool keratin
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This work introduces an approach to creating environmentally friendly protective clothing using waste wool to produce a biodegradable and biocompatible alternative, turning environmental problems into biomedical solutions. Utilizing chemically reduced-wool keratin (KerSH), extracted from waste wool through a mild chemical reduction, blended with biocompatible gelatin and poly(2-ethyl 2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) or its hydrolyzed product poly(2-ethyl 2-oxazoline-co polyethylene imine) (PEtOx-co-PEI), it was aimed to enhance cotton fabrics with polymeric nanowebs via electrospinning. This modification provides various morphologies, including hybrid, Janus, and core-shell structures, tailored by adjusting the solvent, polymer ratios, and electrospinning conditions. The resultant nanofibrous coatings were comprehensively characterized using ATR-FTIR, 1H-NMR, SEM, optical microscopy, and contact-angle measurements to assess their structure and properties. Consequently, this study offers a keratin-derived nanofibrous composite with potential uses in biomedical substrates such as filtration systems, biocompatible meshes, and materials for reusable surgical masks.