Because of the constant challenge to preserve the environment and the search for new materials, a comparative study was carried out using keratin fiber, a fibrous protein, found in the chicken feathers. Five different samples of the feather were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). First in their natural form Keratin Fiber (KF); the second treated with sodium hydroxide (KFNaOH); the third and fourth samples were semi carbonized at 220℃ in an oven without atmospheric control for 24 hours (samples obtained: Clear brown (SCFC) and Dark brown (SCFD)); and the fifth sample was carbonized by pyrolysis Carbonized Feathers (CF). The SEM result shows that the KF has a hollow structure, with knots and hooks. The KFNaOH structure presented rougher than that of the KF, but lost their hooks. The SCFC and SCFD presented brittle structures, but preserved the hollow structure of KF; however, it was only noticeable to a magnification of 3000 times. On the other hand, the CF, was shiny, black, and showed a higher amount of porosity with open micro-pores and micro-tubes, preserved the hollow structure of KF than any other samples studied, and also presented well-defined closed micro-tubes. From the XRD analysis of the KF, CF, KFNaOH, SCFC and SCFD, presented semi-crystalline structures, with the following indices of crystallinity, 20.09%, 18.93%, 17.97%, 15.02% and 14.31%, respectively. The CF presented smaller size crystallites, in between the micro- particulates, around 27 nm and the KFNaOH with larger size around 74 nm. From this study it was concluded that micro-porous carbon material from chicken feathers (KF) could be efficiently obtained through pyrolysis

Chitin is widely distributed in nature, being the main structural component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans and is non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible. These exoskeletons once discarded become an industrial waste creating environmental pollutant. In order to find an alternative use, the present work exploits the extraction of the chitosan from chitin that is present in the exoskeletons of shrimps <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i> and crabs <i>Ucides cordatus</i> and transforms it into high valued products, which can help solving the environmental problem as well to provide extra income to the fishermen. One example is the manufacture of nanomembranes from chitosan for the application in medical textiles. Nanomembranes using electrospinning of chitosan solutions (7% and 5wt%) with 100:0 v/v (TFA/DCM) and 70:30 v/v (TFA/DCM) were produced. Morphological properties of chitin and chitosan were studied using SEM, DRX, and thermal properties through TG/DTG and molecular structure by FTIR analysis. TG/DTG showed thermal decomposition of chitosan samples. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the semi-crystalline structure of chitosan, and highly crystalline structure for chitin. Morphologies of the nanomembranes were also observed from scanning electron micrographs. Results showed that the nanomembranes with 5% chitosan solutions with 70:30 v/v (TFA/DCM) showed facilitation in the formation of the nanomembranes. The nanomembranes of shrimp and crab with 5% 70:30 v/v (TFA/DCM) had higher breaking tension and breaking extension. With positive results obtained, the present work will help the authorities to organize the fishermen to have consciousness in the collection of exoskeleton waste as well as helping to have a better environment

Artigo submetido em abril/2012 e aceito em julho/2012 RESUMO As KF de penas de frango foram submetidas à análise térmica -Termogravimétrica (TG) em sua forma natural e carbonizada. A partir das curvas obtidas por TG e sua Derivada (DTG) da pena natural (KF), tratada com Hidróxido de Sódio (KFNaOH), semicarbonizadas -"Semi Carbonized Feathers" "Clear" (SCFC) e "Dark" (SCFD), buscou-se um melhor ciclo de carbonização (pirólise) para esse tipo de precursor. O trabalho também trata como um dos focos, o estudo comparativo do comportamento térmico desses materiais. Uma parte da KF foi tratada com hidróxido de sódio (NaOH), e observou-se pelo o resultado TG/DTG que a resistência térmica do material não foi influenciada. Outra parte de KF foi semicarbonizada (220°C) sem controle do ambiente térmico e taxas de aquecimento e resfriamento, apresentando colorações diferentes, mais clara (SCFC) e mais escura (SCFD). Foi constatado nas curvas de TG/DTG, que esse tratamento de carbonização não é ideal para a obtenção de carbono. Também foi verificado nas curvas de TG/DTG que na CF houve um aumento da estabilidade térmica comparada a todas as outras amostras.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: penas de frango, queratina, análise térmica, pirólise, carbono. STUDY OF THERMAL STABILITY OF KERATIN FIBRE (KF) OF CHICKEN FEATHERS FOR OBTAINING OF CARBON -CARBONISED FEATHERS (CF) ABSTRACTKeratin fibers (KF) from chicken feathers were subjected to thermal analysis -Thermogravimetric (TG). This work is based on the curves obtained by TG and its Derivative (DTG) from the natural feather (KF), treated with Sodium Hydroxide (KFNaOH), Semi Carbonized Feathers but Clear (SCFC) and but Dark (SCFD), aimed at achieving a better cycle carbonization (pyrolysis) for this type of precursor. Also the present work compare thermal behavior their. One part of the KF was treated with Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), and it was observed from TG/DTG result, that the thermal resistance of the material was not affected. The other part of KF was semi-carbonized (220°C) without controlled the of environment and the of rates of heating and cooling, thus presenting different colors, of which SCFC was clearer and SCFC was darker. It was noted that from the curves of TG/DTG, this cycle of treatment is not ideal for the obtention of carbon. It was also confirmed in the curves of TG/DTG that feathers carbonized by pyrolysis (CF), there was an increase in thermal stability compared to all other samples.