Production of biopolymer film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials from soluble s-sulfonated keratin derivatives

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 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A method for making protein films, the method comprising the step of solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of treating the cast solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins with a reductant to remove sulfonate groups and reform disulfide links and thereby improve the wet strength of the protein film. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the reductant is a thiol or a phosphine. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of treating the cast solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins with a reduced form of keratin or a reduced form of keratin peptide to thereby introduce disulfide crosslinks into the protein film and improve the wet strength of the protein film. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of treating the cast solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins with an acid to protonate S-sulfonate groups within the S-sulfonated keratin protein and any other polar groups and thereby improve the wet strength of the protein film. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of treating the protein film with formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde to thereby introduce crosslinks into the protein film. 
     
     
         10 . A protein film made by a method comprising the step of solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins. 
     
     
         11 . A method for making protein films, the method comprising the step of solvent casting a solution containing a mixture of S-sulfonated keratin with a reduced form of keratin or keratin peptides. 
     
     
         12 . A protein film produced by a method comprising the step of solvent casting a solution containing a mixture of S-sulfonated keratin with a reduced form of keratin or keratin peptides. 
     
     
         13 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The protein film of  claim 10  wherein the method further comprises the step of treating the cast solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins with a reductant. 
     
     
         43 . The protein film of  claim 42 , wherein the reductant is a thiol or a phosphine. 
     
     
         44 . The protein film of  claim 10  wherein the method further comprises the step of treating the cast solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins with a reduced form of keratin or a reduced form of keratin peptide. 
     
     
         45 . The protein film of  claim 10  wherein the method further comprises the step of treating the cast solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins with an acid to protonate S-sulfonate groups within the S-sulfonated keratin protein and any other polar groups 
     
     
         46 . The protein film of  claim 10  wherein the method further comprises the step of treating the protein film with formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde.