Biodegradable Composite from Discarded Hair Keratin and Graphene Oxide with Improved Mechanical, Thermal, and Barrier Properties: An Eco-Friendly Solution to Waste Materials

The study aimed to create a biodegradable composite using discarded hair keratin from leather production and graphene oxide (GO) to reduce pollution. The composite was made using a simple solution mixing method, and its structure and performance were evaluated through various analyses. The results showed that GO was successfully integrated into the keratin matrix, leading to a 173.98% increase in tensile strength and a 33.52% decrease in elongation compared to pure keratin. The composite also showed improved thermal and biodegradation properties, and better gas barrier properties (39%) than pure keratin. This suggests that the keratin-GO composite is a cost-effective and biodegradable solution to waste materials, with potential use as a packaging material.