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US 12,678,336 B2Granted
Hydration-responsive shape-memory keratin composite fibers and fabrication methods thereof
AssigneeCity University of Hong Kong
InventorsJinlian Hu, Xiaoyun Xu
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Abstract
Hydration-responsive shape-memory keratin composite fibers are provided. These fibers have a keratin network structure formed by keratin α-helices bonded by disulfide bonds. Incorporated within the structure are cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), which provide hydrogen bonds and stabilize the α-helix structure, introducing a hydration-responsive switch. Specifically, the CNCs are configured to arrange and connect the keratin α-helices, aligning their coil axis along the fiber axis.
Claims6
A method of fabricating a hydration-responsive shape-memory keratin composite fiber, comprising:
- conducting a reduction reaction on a keratin source for extracting keratin molecules utilizing L-cysteine and urea;
- mixing the extracted keratin molecules, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and a reducing agent in an alkaline solution to obtain a homogenous keratin spinning dope;
- extruding the keratin spinning dope through a needle by a pump to a coagulation bath to form as-spun fibers;
- oxidizing the as-spun fibers to generate disulfide bonds between α-helix subunits to form keratin α-helices;
- and
- crosslinking the keratin α-helices to form hydration-responsive shape-memory keratin composite fibers.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.