Fabrication of mechanical robust keratin composites via mussel-inspired surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals

• Mechanical robust keratin films are fabricated. • Biological marine mussel that stimulates the surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals. • The prepared cellulose nanocrystals are environmentally friendly and showed high reactivity. In this study, a novel bio-marine mussel inspired surface modification of cellulose nanocrystal and its enhanced interfacial strength toward keratin composites was developed and demonstrated for the purpose of developing high performance and fully renewable keratin composites. XPS and FTIR study of the poly-dopamine modified cellulose nanocrystal (PDA@CNC) confirmed that the functional layer was successfully coated on cellulose nanocrystal surface. The mechanical strength of 3% PDA@CNC/keratin composites could reach as high as 29.01 MPa, compare with that of 9.17 MPa of pure keratin film, due to the enhanced interfacial adhesion between PDA@CNC and keratin. This study demonstrated a facial and effective strategy for manufacturing mechanical enhanced keratin functional materials.