Polymers (Jul 2024)

Morphological, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Nanocomposites Based on Bio-Polyamide and Feather Keratin–Halloysite Nanohybrid

  • George Mihail Teodorescu,
  • Zina Vuluga,
  • Andreea Ioniță,
  • Cristian Andi Nicolae,
  • Marius Ghiurea,
  • Augusta Raluca Gabor,
  • Valentin Rădițoiu,
  • Monica Raduly,
  • Ioana Andreea Brezeştean,
  • Daniel Marconi,
  • Ioan Turcu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16142003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 14
p. 2003

Abstract

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One solution to comply with the strict regulations of the European Commission and reduce the environmental footprint of composites is the use of composite materials based on bio-polymers and fillers from natural resources. The aim of our work was to obtain and analyze the properties of bio-polymer nanocomposites based on bio-PA (PA) and feather keratin–halloysite nanohybrid. Keratin (KC) was mixed with halloysite (H) as such or with the treated surface under dynamic conditions, resulting in two nanohybrids: KCHM and KCHE. The homogenization of PA with the two nanohybrids was conducted using the extrusion processing process. Two types of nanocomposites, PA–KCHM and PA–KCHE, with 5 wt.% KC and 1 wt.% H were obtained. The properties were analyzed using SEM, XRD, FTIR, RAMAN, TGA, DSC, tensile/impact tests, DMA, and nanomechanical tests. The best results were obtained for PA–KCHE due to the stronger interaction between the components and the uniform dispersion of the nanohybrid in the PA matrix. Improvements in the modulus of elasticity and of the surface hardness by approx. 75% and 30%, respectively, and the resistance to scratch were obtained. These results are promising and constitute a possible alternative to synthetic polymer composites for the automotive industry.

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