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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #218720
Title: Keratin Coatings for Wool: Shrinkproofing and Nanoparticle Delivery

Author
item Cardamone, Jeanette
item Martin, Justin

Submitted to: Macromolecular Symposium
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2008
Publication Date: 11/10/2008
Citation: Cardamone, J.M., Martin, J. 2008. Keratin Coatings for Wool: Shrinkproofing and Nanoparticle Delivery. Macromolecular Symposium. 272:161-166.

Interpretive Summary: New applications and treatments for wool are necessary to gain market share. ARS wool, the product of novel bleaching, was treated with solubilized wool keratin. The keratin was co-added with a crosslinking enzyme. We reported that this keratin/enzyme system controlled shrinkage and improved strength after full ARS processing involving bleaching followed by enzymatic treatment to biopolish and control shrinkage. Now we have fabricated and deposited durable nanoparticle silver particles on the surface of wool in order to provide a platform for improving other properties. Specifically silver is known to provide resistance to microbiological decay. This research will serve as a prototype for treating wool with nanoparticle materials to add greater value to wool for opening new commercial markets in apparel and other end use applications.

Technical Abstract: Wool fabrics were treated with keratin hydrolysate in isolated systems, in systems incorporating a cross-linking enzyme, and in systems with nanoparticle silver. The dimensions of wool fabric were controlled after keratin applications and the strength of bleached wool fabric was improved. Keratin applications imparted these improved properties when applied alone and when applied with the enzyme. The enzyme was effective for in-situ, solid-state cross-linking of wool fabric, cross-linking keratin-to-keratin, and cross-linking keratin-to-fabric. To further improve the properties of wool, nanoparticle silver was produced in various shapes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs of these particles showed discrete and isolated particles of size 8-100 nm, dependent on the preparation. A combination of TEM and UV-VIS spectroscopy was used to characterize these particles and scanning electron microscopy running in backscattered electron mode confirmed their placement on wool fibers. The application of nanoparticle silver to wool when co-added with keratin may both improve dimensional stability and impart antimicrobial efficacy.