Keratin associations with synthetic, biosynthetic and natural polymers: an extensive review

0519310 - ÚMCH 2021 RIV CH eng J - Journal Article
Donato, Ricardo Keitel - Mija, A.
Keratin associations with synthetic, biosynthetic and natural polymers: an extensive review.
Polymers. Roč. 12, č. 1 (2020), s. 1-64, č. článku 32. E-ISSN 2073-4360
Institutional support: RVO:61389013
Keywords : keratin * biomaterials * composite materials
OECD category: Polymer science
Impact factor: 4.329, year: 2020
Method of publishing: Open access
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/1/32

Among the biopolymers from animal sources, keratin is one the most abundant, with a major contribution from side stream products from cattle, ovine and poultry industry, offering many opportunities to produce cost-effective and sustainable advanced materials. Although many reviews have discussed the application of keratin in polymer-based biomaterials, little attention has been paid to its potential in association with other polymer matrices. Thus, herein, we present an extensive literature review summarizing keratin’s compatibility with other synthetic, biosynthetic and natural polymers, and its effect on the materials’ final properties in a myriad of applications. First, we revise the historical context of keratin use, describe its structure, chemical toolset and methods of extraction, overview and differentiate keratins obtained from different sources, highlight the main areas where keratin associations have been applied, and describe the possibilities offered by its chemical toolset. Finally, we contextualize keratin’s potential for addressing current issues in materials sciences, focusing on the effect of keratin when associated to other polymers’ matrices from biomedical to engineering applications, and beyond.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0306211