Production of bypolymer film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials from soluble s-sulfonated keratin derivative

Abstract

Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A method for making protein fibres, the method comprising the step of extruding a solution of S-sulfonated keratins into an aqueous solution containing salts and a reductant that causes the S-sulfonated keratins in solution to become insoluble. 
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the reductant is a thoil or thioglycollate salt. 
   
   
       15 . A method for making protein fibres, the method comprising the step of extruding a solution of S-sulfonated keratins into an aqueous solution containing salts, a reductant and a crosslinking agent that causes the S-sulfonated keratin in solution to become insoluble. 
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the reductant is thiol or thioglycollate salt. 
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the crosslinking agent is formaldehyde. 
   
   
       18 . A method for making protein fibres, the method comprising the step of extruding a solution of S-sulfonated keratins into an aqueous solution containing salts and an acid that causes the protein S-sulfonated keratins in solution to become insoluble. 
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the acid is sulfuric acid. 
   
   
       20 . A method for making protein fibres, the method comprising the step of extruding a solution of S-sulfonated keratins in a solvent into a hot environment and evaporating away the solvent to leave a fibrous material behind. 
   
   
       21 - 41 . (canceled) 
   
   
       42 . The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the crosslinking agent is formaldehyde. 
   
   
       43 . The method as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising the step of treating the fibrous material with a reductant. 
   
   
       44 . The method as claimed in  claim 43  wherein the reductant is a thiol or a phosphine. 
   
   
       45 . The method as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising the step of treating the fibrous material with a reduced form of keratin or a reduced form of keratin peptide. 
   
   
       46 . The method as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising the step of treating the fibrous material with an acid to protonate S-sulfonate groups within the S-sulfonated keratin protein and any other polar groups. 
   
   
       47 . The method as claimed in  claim 20  further comprising the step of treating the fibrous material with formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde. 
   
   
       48 . A fibre produced by a method comprising the step of extruding a solution of S-sulfonated keratins into an aqueous solution containing salts, a reductant and a crosslinking agent that causes the S-sulfonated keratin in solution to become insoluble. 
   
   
       49 . The fibre as claimed in  claim 48  wherein the reductant is thiol or thioglycollate salt. 
   
   
       50 . The fibre as claimed in  claim 48  wherein the crosslinking agent is formaldehyde. 
   
   
       51 . A fibre produced by a method comprising the step of extruding a solution of S-sulfonated keratins into an aqueous solution containing salts and an acid that causes the S-sulfonated keratins in solution to become insoluble. 
   
   
       52 . The fibre as claimed in  claim 51  wherein the acid is sulfuric acid. 
   
   
       53 . A fibre produced by a method comprising the step of extruding a solution of S-sulfonated keratins in a solvent into a hot environment and evaporating away the solvent to leave a fibrous material behind.