Tailoring physicochemical properties of collagen-based composites with ionic liquids and wool for advanced applications

Abstract

Wool, choline dihydrogen phosphate ([Ch][DHP]) or choline serinate ([Ch][Seri) ionic liquids (ILs) were incorporated into native collagen formulations and films were prepared by compression molding. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed no agglomeration, indicating good dispersion of additives within films. The denaturation peak observed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), along with infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results, showed that collagen fibrillary structure was preserved in all samples. These outcomes were correlated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Wool or ILs addition increased tensile strength and improved electrical conductivity and all films showed antistatic behaviour. The samples showed a high dielectric constant, mainly determined by mobile charge contributions. This work shows the potential of native collagen films with tuneable physical-chemical characteristics for a new generation of sustainable materials for a wide variety of applications.