Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2025

Abstract Chitin and keratin are naturally abundant biopolymers. They hold significant potential for sustainable applications due to their chemical structure, (nano)structural properties, biodegradability nontoxicity. Chitin, a polysaccharide contained in exoskeletons of arthropods the cell walls fungi, forms strong hydrogen bonds that confer mechanical stability, which is ideal use protective structures lightweight composites. Keratin, fibrous protein found vertebrate epithelial tissues such as wool, feathers hair, characterized by its high sulfur content formation disulfide bonds, provide both strength flexibility. Utilizing chitin waste materials from food industry, shrimp shells, chicken sheep offers an eco-friendly alternative synthetic leverages inherent biocompatibility. Additionally common macroscale reuse fertilizer or livestock feed, using functional adds further uses these versatile materials. The increasingly being utilized specifically superior structural properties resulting nanoscale functionalities. exhibit excellent thermal insulation making them suitable energy-efficient building Their colours (e.g., butterflies birds), arising micro- arrangements, offer non-fading colouration textiles coatings without need potentially harmful dyes. Additionally, biopolymers yet packaging, consumer products, – when smartly structured even passive radiative cooling applications. Biomimetic designs based on promise advancements across multiple fields harnessing natural converting into high-value thereby addressing recycling issues promoting sustainability.

Язык: Английский