INFLUENCE OF THE PRE-TREATMENTS ON THE PROPERTIES OF BIODEGRADABLE FILMS FROM BOVINE HAIR

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Joana Costa (Author) Other; P. R. Pitrez (Author) FEUP; C. Rocha (Author) FEUP; O.M. Freitas (Author) Other; A. Crispim (Author) Other; C. Delerue-Matos (Author) Other; M. P. Gonçalves (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Fresenius Environmental Bulletin

Vol. 21

Pages: 2472-2476

ISSN: 1018-4619

Publisher: Technische Universitat Munchen

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 0 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-F63

Abstract (EN): The replacement of conventional synthetic films and coatings by biodegradable alternatives reduces the use of non-renewable resources and waste disposal problems. Considering that Portugal is a major producer of leather, and consequently a large producer of related wastes, in this research, bovine hair was tested for the production of biodegradable films directly by thermo-compression, allowing waste valorisation and reduction of environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the different pre-treatments performed by two processes (removal by mechanical action and removal by chemical process), applied to bovine hair, in order to obtain a biodegradable film with appropriate properties. Mechanical properties for these films were evaluated, namely strain at break, stress at break and Young modulus. Additionally colour, solubility and swelling in water were also studied. The mechanical removal hair only produced films with Na2S treatment. Chemical removed hair (immunization) depends of the pre-treatment and the degreasing with petroleum ether or sodium sulphide pre-treatment leads better mechanical properties. The results obtained indicated that the pre-treatments have an important role in the final properties of biodegradable films.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5