Enhancing Physical Properties of Viscose by Preparing Viscose/Keratin/Nano ZnO Composite Fabric

The emulsion of Keratin nano ZnO was prepared by extracting the keratin from wool. Cellulose viscose fabric was treated by plasma and immersed in solution and by special chemical method the fabric was finished with keratin/ZnO. The obtained cellulose composite morphology was studied by FESEM. The peaks shown by FTIR proved the presence of functional groups (amide, polypeptide, O-H and C-H). The result has proven the presence and good distribution of keratin and nano zinc oxide. The treated samples showed very low transmission of UV irradiation indicating good UV blocking. Physical properties of treated samples show that keratin gives the water absorption property to viscose. Abrasion resistance of samples indicates that treated samples have better resistance due to its excellent mechanical properties of keratin/ZnO. The strength of samples shows that keratin has good effect on increasing the strength property of viscose.

Automated summary

In this study, a keratin nano ZnO emulsion was prepared by extracting keratin from wool, and the cellulose viscose fabric was treated with this emulsion to demonstrate good distribution and UV blocking properties. The presence of functional groups and the enhancement of physical properties by keratin in the cellulose composite were confirmed through SEM and FTIR analysis.