Keratin Sponge Film Preparation and Application in Removal of Inhalable Particles

Abstract

Keratin sponge film was prepared from feather reduction residues, and influence of glycerol content on film’s characters and removal of aerosol were investigated. With increasing glycerol content, the elongation at break, porosity and air permeability increased together with looser structure of the film, while the inhalable particles removal rate decreased. The tensile strength increased when the glycerol content was below 5%, while the glycerol content exceeded 5% decreased. The film with 5 % glycerol content showed the best mechanical character, thermostability and flexibility. The air permeability was 368 mm/s, film's removal rate of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1.0 were 98.3 %, 39.28 % and 32.97 % respectively in air speed of 1 m/s. As a material made from natural resources, it was highly affinitive and had great potential in mask manufacture.