Ice-regenerated flame retardant and robust film of Bombyx mori silk fibroin and POSS nano-cages. Issue 17 (28th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valentini, Luca; Bittolo Bon, Silvia; Pugno, Nicola M.
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 17(2018)
• Page Start: 9063
• Page End: 9069
• Publication Date: 2018-02-28
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c7ra13708g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : In this study, we present a simple method to prepare and control the structure of regenerated hybrid silkworm silk films through icing. Abstract : In this study, we present a simple method to prepare and control the structure of regenerated hybrid silkworm silk films through icing. A regenerated hybrid silk (RHS) film consisting of a micro-fibrillar structure was obtained by partially dissolving amino-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) and silk fibers in a CaCl2 –formic acid solution. After immersion in water and icing, the obtained films of RHS showed polymorphic and strain-stiffening behaviors with mechanical properties that were better than those observed in dry or wet-regenerated silk. It was also found that POSS endowed the burning regenerated silk film with anti-dripping properties. The higher β-sheet content observed in the ice-regenerated hybrid micro-fibrils indicates a useful route to fabricate regenerated silk with physical and functional properties, i.e. strain-stiffening, similar to those observed to date in natural spider silk counterpart and synthetic rubbers, and anti-dripping of the flaming melt. Related carbon nanotube composites are considered for comparison.