TITLE:
Investigation of the Combination of Chicken Feathers and Polyhydroxyalkanoates for Sustainable and Biodegradable Composite Materials
AUTHORS:
Nayan Vaghasiya, Jens Schuster, Chandrasekhar Kode
KEYWORDS:
Chicken Feathers, Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Biodegradable Composites, Keratin Fibers, Bio-Based Materials, Surface Modification, Waste Valorization, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Natural Fiber Reinforcement, Renewable Resources
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Composite Materials,
Vol.16 No.1,
December
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: This study investigated the development of a sustainable and biodegradable composite material reinforced with chicken feathers and based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a family of thermoplastic polyesters that naturally decompose. PHAlife™ PB3430G was used as the matrix, while chicken feathers were processed into powder (CFP) and fiber (CFF) forms and incorporated at 10% and 20% loadings. To improve compatibility between the hydrophilic keratin and hydrophobic PHA, the feathers were modified through alkali and silane treatments. Composites were fabricated using a twin-screw extruder and hot-press compression molding and subsequently characterized for their mechanical, physical, and morphological properties. The results showed that CFF at 20% loading provided the most effective reinforcement, significantly enhancing tensile and compressive strength compared to CFP, while density measurements confirmed the lightweight nature of the composites. At lower filler concentrations, microscopy revealed improved interfacial adhesion and better filler dispersion. The silane coupling agent chemically bonded the chicken feather fillers to the PHA matrix, enhancing interfacial adhesion. Overall, the findings suggest that chicken feather waste can be effectively utilized as an affordable reinforcement for PHA-based composites, offering a promising route to produce strong, lightweight, and environmentally friendly materials for biodegradable consumer products, single-use disposables, and horticultural applications.