Fabrication and characterization of chitosan coated human hair reinforced phytagel modified soy protein-based green composite

Abstract

AbstractIn the present investigation, human hair reinforced soy protein isolate (SPI)-based green composites modified with 40 wt.% phytagel and 12.5 wt.% glycerol were developed. Characterization of the prepared composites was done through water absorption, tensile test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Composites having 2 wt.% of human hair fiber gave the optimum results for the tensile test. At 2 wt.% of human hair composition maximum tensile strength 17.23 MPa was obtained whereas the tensile strength of neat SPI was 8.54 MPa. SEM images show the interfacial bonding between human hair fiber and SPI resin and gave the clear explanation of the change in tensile strength and water absorption %. Chitosan coating was applied to fabricated composites to reduce water uptake. Chitosan coated sample showed considerable improvement in tensile strength, water uptake and glass transition temperature.