Effect of Polymerization Conditions on Grafting of Methyl Methacrylate onto Feather Keratin for Thermoplastic Applications

By : Enqi Jin, Manli Li, Luyan Zhang

Page No: 169-183

Abstract
Biodegradable and inexpensive thermoplastics were developed through graft polymerization of native feather keratin with methyl methacrylate as a potential substitute for the petroleum[1]based products. Feathers are available in large quantities at low price and more than 80% of them are keratin. However, natural feather keratin does not have good thermoplasticity, cannot be employed as thermoplastic products and applied in the industry widely. In this research, effects of graft polymerization conditions, such as concentration and molar ratio of initiators, pH, temperature and time of polymerization on grafting parameters, i.e., conversion of monomer to polymer, grafting ratio and grafting efficiency, were studied. Methyl methacrylate was found to be successfully grafted onto the molecular chains of the feather keratin and appropriate graft polymerization conditions were obtained. The feather keratin-g-poly(methyl methacrylate) developed showed good thermoplasticity and the films of the grafted keratin had superior tensile properties.

Authors :
Enqi Jin, Manli Li And Luyan Zhang : College of Textiles and Garments, Shaoxing University, No.508 Huancheng West Road, Shaoxing, 312000, P. R. China