This study investigated the development of a sustainable and biodegradable composite material reinforced with chicken feathers and based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of thermoplastic polyesters that naturally decompose. PHAlife？ PB3430G was used as the matrix, while chicken feathers were processed into powder (CFP) and fiber (CFF) forms and incorporated at 10% and 20% loadings. To improve compatibility between the hydrophilic keratin and hydrophobic PHA, the feathers were modified through alkali and silane treatments. Composites were fabricated using a twin-screw extruder and hot-press compression molding and subsequently characterized for their mechanical, physical, and morphological properties. The results showed that CFF at 20% loading provided the most effective reinforcement, significantly enhancing tensile and compressive strength compared to CFP, while density measurements confirmed the lightweight nature of the composites. At lower filler concentrations, microscopy revealed improved interfacial adhesion and better filler dispersion. The silane coupling agent chemically bonded the chicken feather fillers to the PHA matrix, enhancing interfacial adhesion. Overall, the findings suggest that chicken feather waste can be effectively utilized as an affordable reinforcement for PHA-based composites, offering a promising route to produce strong, lightweight, and environmentally friendly materials for biodegradable consumer products, single-use disposables, and horticultural applications.
References
[1]
Nguyenhuynh, T., Yoon, L.W., Chow, Y.H. and Chua, A.S.M. (2021) An Insight into Enrichment Strategies for Mixed Culture in Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production: Feedstocks, Operating Conditions and Inherent Challenges. Chemical Engineering Journal, 420, Article ID: 130488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.130488
[2]
Chen, G. (2009) A Microbial Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Based Bio-and Materials Industry. Chemical Society Reviews, 38, 2434-2446. https://doi.org/10.1039/b812677c
[3]
Dutta, H., Bora, D., Chetia, P., Bharadwaj, C., Purbey, R., Bohra, R.C., et al. (2024) Biopolymer Composites with Waste Chicken Feather Fillers: A Review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 197, Article ID: 114394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114394
[4]
Aranberri, I., Montes, S., Azcune, I., Rekondo, A. and Grande, H. (2017) Fully Biodegradable Biocomposites with High Chicken Feather Content. Polymers, 9, Article No. 593. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9110593
[5]
Reddy, N. and Yang, Y. (2007) Structure and Properties of Chicken Feather Barbs as Natural Protein Fibers. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 15, 81-87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-007-0054-7
[6]
Tesfaye, T., Sithole, B., Ramjugernath, D. and Chunilall, V. (2017) Valorisation of Chicken Feathers: Characterisation of Physical Properties and Morphological Structure. Journal of Cleaner Production, 149, 349-365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.112
[7]
Barone, J.R. and Schmidt, W.F. (2005) Polyethylene Reinforced with Keratin Fibers Obtained from Chicken Feathers. Composites Science and Technology, 65, 173-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2004.06.011
[8]
Ali, A., Shaker, K., Nawab, Y., et al. (2018) Hydrophobic Treatment of Natural Fibers and Their Composites—A Review. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 48, 725-763.
[9]
Khan, A., Parikh, H. and Qureshi, M.R.N. (2022) A Review on Chicken Feather Fiber (CFF) and Its Application in Composites. Journal of Natural Fibers, 19, 12565-12585.
[10]
Adekunle, K.F. (2015) Surface Treatments of Natural Fibres—A Review: Part 1. Open Journal of Polymer Chemistry, 5, 41-46.
[11]
Ali, M.F., Hossain, M.S., Moin, T.S., Ahmed, S. and Chowdhury, A.M.S. (2021) Physico-Mechanical Properties of Treated Chicken Feather-Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Resin Based Composites. Nano Hybrids and Composites, 32, 73-84. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/nhc.32.73
[12]
Amieva, E.J., Velasco-Santos, C., Martínez-Hernández, A., Rivera-Armenta, J., Mendoza-Martínez, A. and Castaño, V. (2014) Composites from Chicken Feathers Quill and Recycled Polypropylene. Journal of Composite Materials, 49, 275-283. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998313518359
[13]
Bharathi, S.V. and Raj, I.V. (2021) Studies on the Physical Properties of Chicken Feathers. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 10, 309-315.
[14]
Xie, Y., Hill, C.A.S., Xiao, Z., Militz, H. and Mai, C. (2010) Silane Coupling Agents Used for Natural Fiber/Polymer Composites: A Review. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 41, 806-819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.03.005
[15]
Oladele, I.O., Okoro, A.M., Omotoyinbo, J.A. and Khoathane, M.C. (2018) Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Chemically Modified Chicken Feather Fibres Reinforced High Density Polyethylene Composites. Journal of Taibah University for Science, 12, 56-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/16583655.2018.1451103
[16]
Paşayev, N., Tekoğlu, O., Kocatepe, S., Erol, M. and Maraş, N. (2021) The Machine Method for Processing Chicken Feathers by Splitting Them into Fibers and Rachis. TekstilveMühendis, 28, 248-260. https://doi.org/10.7216/1300759920212812401
[17]
Cheng, S., Lau, K., Liu, T., Zhao, Y., Lam, P. and Yin, Y. (2009) Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Chicken Feather Fiber/PLA Green Composites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 40, 650-654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2009.04.011
[18]
Touatou, S. and Belhaneche-Bensemra, N. (2021) Valorisation of Chicken Feather Fibres in Developing Poly(vinyl chloride) Biocomposites.
[19]
Tesfaye, T., Sithole, B., Ramjugernath, D. and Chunilall, V. (2017) Valorisation of Chicken Feathers: Characterisation of Chemical Properties. Waste Management, 68, 626-635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.06.050
