Collagen–chitosan biocomposites produced using nanocarbons derived from goatskin waste

We report a simple method for the preparation of multifunctional biocomposite films by using collagen-containing waste material trimmed from goatskins. The waste was cleaned and carbonized to synthesize conducting and magnetic graphitic nanocarbon (GrC). Collagen was extracted from the trimmed waste and combined with chitosan and GrC to form flexible, semi-transparent, conductive and magnetic biocomposite films (GrC/Col–Ch) of micron-thickness. Electrical conductivity of the biocomposite films was shown to increase gradually with an increase in the concentration of chitosan and GrC. The tensile strength of the GrC/Col–Ch films increases up to 10 wt.% of GrC loading, above which it decreases due to the high carbon loading, as also shown from fracture surfaces examined by scanning electron microscopy. The small ferromagnetic property of the synthesized biocomposite films has been potentially used for magnetic tracking and actuation.