Thermal and structural characterization of poly(ethylene-oxide)/keratin blend films

Blends of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and keratin were prepared with the aim of obtaining bio-compatible materials suitable for film and fibre production. Aqueous keratin solutions, prepared by keratin extraction from wool with urea, m-bisulphite and sodium dodecyl sulphates (SDS), filtration and dialysis, were added with different amounts of PEO and solid films were prepared by casting. The addition of SDS prevents protein aggregation. Morphological, thermal and spectroscopic analysis of the films pointed out that keratin hinders the PEO crystallization process, since a progressive decrease in the size of PEO spherulites is observed and the melting point and the related enthalpy decrease with increasing the keratin content. On the other hand, according to thermal and spectroscopic investigations. PEO seems to interfere with the keratin self-assembling giving the protein a different thermal behaviour.