In the quest for sustainable materials, a team of researchers from Gopalganj Science and Technology University in Bangladesh has made a significant breakthrough. Led by Md. Lawshan Habib, a researcher in the Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the team has developed a novel bioplastic film that could revolutionize the way we think about waste and sustainability in the energy sector.
The innovation lies in the use of discarded duck feathers, a byproduct of the poultry industry often destined for landfills. Habib and his team have found a way to extract keratin from these feathers and incorporate it into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to create a bioplastic film with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. “The idea was to turn waste into a valuable resource,” Habib explains. “Duck feathers are abundant and often underutilized. By extracting keratin, we can create a bioplastic that is not only eco-friendly but also cost-effective.”
The process involves extracting keratin from the feathers, which Habib reports has a commendable yield of 79%. This keratin is then mixed with PVA to form a bioplastic film. The team tested various concentrations of the constituents to find the optimal composition, which they determined to be P5K0.05 (PVA 5 wt% and Keratin 0.05 wt%). The resulting bioplastic film showed notable improvements in thermal and mechanical properties compared to pure PVA.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As the world seeks to reduce its reliance on petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics offer a sustainable alternative. The enhanced properties of this new bioplastic film make it suitable for a wide range of applications, from packaging to construction materials. “This bioplastic could be used in various industries, including the energy sector, where durability and sustainability are key,” Habib notes. “It’s a step towards a greener future.”
The research, published in Results in Materials, also known as Results in Materials Science, involved a series of characterization techniques, including FTIR, SEM, and TGA, which all corroborated the findings. The bioplastic film was also found to be biocompatible, making it safe for use in various applications.
This breakthrough could pave the way for future developments in the field of sustainable materials. As Habib and his team continue their research, the potential for scaling up production and exploring new applications grows. The energy sector, in particular, stands to benefit from this innovation, as the demand for sustainable and durable materials increases. This research not only addresses the environmental impact of petroleum-based plastics but also provides a solution for waste management in the poultry industry. The future of bioplastics looks promising, and this research is a significant step forward in that direction.