Abstract
This study investigates the potential of keratin, a waste from duck feathers, as a sustainable alternative for wood adhesive applications. Keratin was extracted by sonochemical hydrolysis, a green and innovative method. Keratin was compared in its properties with casein, soybean, and pea proteins, three of the most studied proteins, as alternative eco-friendly materials to petroleum-derived products. However, these proteins remain used in the food industry. Protein-based adhesives were activated with sodium and calcium hydroxide. A comprehensive analysis was also conducted to study the influence of solid content, alkali, pH, viscosity, polarity, and structural composition of adhesives on their mechanical properties. The thermal properties of proteins and adhesives and the effects of post-alkaline treatment on protein secondary structure, crosslinking, and water resistance were studied. The key finding is that keratin shows potential as an eco-friendly adhesive, with tensile shear strength tests on beech wood meeting European standards. In addition, it showed superior water resistance due to its effective crosslinking ability compared to other food-derived proteins. The results position keratin as a feasible replacement for food-derived and formaldehyde-based adhesives, offering a sustainable option for interior wood applications and presenting an environmentally friendly solution with appropriate performance.
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