Abstract: Abstract ： In this study, keratin was extracted from wool by an oxidation-reduction two-bath method. The soluble ratio of wool was 87%，and the molecular weight distribution of the extracted keratin was 45-60 kDa. The results of FTIR and TGA showed that the functional groups of the keratin are nearly the same as wool, furthermore, the thermal stability was not observed to change much. Hybrid films with better mechanical properties were prepared by adding chitosan into keratin with different proportions. It can be seen from contact angle measurement and DMA analysis that the break strength increased and hydrophilicity decreased with an increase of chitosan contents in the hybrid films.

Key words: wool , extraction of keratin , high molecular weight , hybrid bio-film