Development of 3D Printing Technique for Chicken Feather Powder Infused Biodegradable Polymer Films

Undergraduate #328
Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Materials Science
Session: 1
Room: Exhibit Hall A

Zahria Duncan - Tuskegee University
Co-Author(s): Zaheeruddin Mohammed, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee Alabama; Shaik Jeelani,Tuskegee University, Tuskegee Alabama; and Vijaya Rangari Tuskegee University, Tuskegee Alabama

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Chicken feathers, which are a by-product of poultry industry are mostly disposed without any pretreatment causing environmental problems. They are made of high contents of a useful polymeric protein called keratin (91-93 percent). To make use of this protein, chicken feather powder (CFP) of an average diameter 40 µm was incorporated as a filler material for making films with biodegradable polymer ecoflex via simple solution blending technique followed by 3-D printing. The filler material was used in various weight fractions (1, 2, 6, 10, 15 and 20 wt. percent ). The influence of CFP as a reinforcement on mechanical and thermal properties was characterized via tensile and thermogravimetric analysis. From this study it can be concluded that CFP can be used as a useful filler for improving the mechanical and thermal properties of biodegradable polymer films (Ecoflex), with a better interface and proper dispersion properties can be further improved Thus, produced polymer films can further enhance barrier and antimicrobial properties which can be used for food packaging applications.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation HBCU-UP Grant No. 1719433, 1818696 and NSF-CREST #1137681. The technical guidance and support from Dr. Vijaya Rangari and Mr. Zaheeruddin Mohammed (student mentor), and the students of the MSE department was helpful, persuasive, and greatly appreciated. Also, I want to acknowledge the Tuskegee University poultry farm for providing chicken feathers.This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation HBCU-UP Grant No. 1719433, 1818696 and NSF-CREST #1137681. The technical guidance and support from Dr. Vijaya Rangari and Mr. Zaheeruddin Mohammed (student mentor), and the students of the MSE department was helpful, persuasive, and greatly appreciated. Also, I want to acknowledge the Tuskegee University poultry farm for providing chicken feathers.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Vijaya Rangari, vrangari@tuskegee.edu

Role: I have collected the chicken feathers, cleaned them( for residue and outside elements). I also balled-milled the chicken feathers , and made the powder forty nanometers. Then, I mixed the solution with ecoflex, chloroform, and the chicken feather powder. I have printed the solution using a 3-D printer. Finally, I helped with the mechanical testing of the final product and compared the results to a blank and the variety of percentages). The rest of the testing SEM and thermogravimetric analysis was done by the student mentor.