Structure and properties of keratin/PEO blend nanofibres

Keratin-based Nanofibres

“…The keratin/PEO solution produces nanofibres with small diameter at higher voltage (30 kV), whereas at 20 kV electrospun nanofibres have a diameter much higher than the pure PEO nanofibres at the same voltage. Moreover, the slope of the diameter/voltage trend-line for the keratin/PEO blend is the highest obtained in our experiment (Aluigi et al, 2007b). Thus, it seems that the presence of keratin strengthens the influence of the voltage on the size of the filaments.…”

One-Pot Synthesis of Biocompatible Silver Nanoparticle Composites from Cellulose and Keratin: Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity

“…[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] KER possesses amino acid sequences similar to those found on an extracellular matrix (ECM), and because ECM is known to interact with integrins, which enable it to support cellular attachment, proliferation, and migration, KER-based materials are expected to have such properties as well. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Furthermore, KER is known to possess advantages for wound care, tissue reconstruction, cell seeding and diffusion, and drug delivery.…”

“…[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] KER possesses amino acid sequences similar to those found on an extracellular matrix (ECM), and because ECM is known to interact with integrins, which enable it to support cellular attachment, proliferation, and migration, KER-based materials are expected to have such properties as well. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Furthermore, KER is known to possess advantages for wound care, tissue reconstruction, cell seeding and diffusion, and drug delivery. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Unfortunately, in spite of its unique properties, KER has relatively poor mechanical properties, and as a consequence, it was not possible to fully exploit the unique properties of KER for various applications.…”

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Unfortunately, in spite of its unique properties, KER has relatively poor mechanical properties, and as a consequence, it was not possible to fully exploit the unique properties of KER for various applications. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] To increase the structural strength of KER-based materials, attempts have been made to cross-link KER chains with a cross-linking agent or introduce functional groups to its amino acid residues via chemical reaction(s). [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] The rather complicated, costly, and multistep process is not desirable because it may inadvertently alter its unique properties, making the KER-based materials less biocompatible and toxic and removing or lessening its unique properties.…”

“…[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] To increase the structural strength of KER-based materials, attempts have been made to cross-link KER chains with a cross-linking agent or introduce functional groups to its amino acid residues via chemical reaction(s). [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] The rather complicated, costly, and multistep process is not desirable because it may inadvertently alter its unique properties, making the KER-based materials less biocompatible and toxic and removing or lessening its unique properties. A new method that can improve the structural strength of KER-based products not by synthetic methods but rather by the use of naturally occurring polysaccharides such as CEL is particularly needed.…”