Sustainable and smart keratin hydrogel with pH-sensitive swelling and enhanced mechanical properties

Resumen

Protein based hydrogels are a very interesting type of biomaterials with many probed strengths related to their source and chemical structure. Biocompatibility and biodegradability are accompanied by affordability when it comes to low cost sources. The main keratin source is agroindustrial waste, such as feathers, horns, hooves, hair and wool. Thus, the main cost of keratin hydrogels derives from their processing. Here is presented a new strategy for the obtaining of a keratin hydrogel with enhanced mechanical properties using low cost reagents. This keratin hydrogel is stiff enough to allow handling without special cares and also presenting a reversible pH-responsive behavior. The minimum swelling is observed at low pH due to a collapsed and disordered protein network with water tightly adsorbed to the hydrophilic sites. The swelling rises significantly above pH 6 and the maximum swelling appears above pH 8 where an expanded network allows water to enter to the pores. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Guillermo Copello

Investigador

Dedicado a la síntesis y caracterización de nanocompuestos a base de polímeros naturales para el desarrollo de materiales inteligentes funcionales

Jonás J. Pérez Bravo

Posdoct-CONICET

He participado en el desarrollo de biomateriales aplicados a la agroindustria, compósitos nanoestructurados para fotodegradación y/o adsorción de contaminantes.

M. Emilia Villanueva

Investigadora

Trabajo en el desarrollo de materiales nanoestructurados, su caracterización y el estudio de sus posibles aplicaciones.