Genetically engineered protein based nacre-like nanocomposites with superior mechanical and electrochemical performance. Issue 2 (11th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dhar, Prodyut; Phiri, Josphat; Szilvay, Géza R.; Westerholm-Parvinen, Ann; Maloney, Thaddeus; Laaksonen, Päivi
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 656
• Page End: 669
• Publication Date: 2019-12-11
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c9ta10881e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Nacre with molecularly engineered proteins with site-specific material binding sites for the development of high performance and responsive biomimetic composites. Abstract : The molecular engineering of proteins at the atomistic scale with specific material binding units and the introduction of designed functional-linkers provides a unique approach to fabricate genetically modified high performance and responsive biomimetic composites. This work is inspired by a tough biological material, nacre, which possesses a hierarchical 'brick-mortar' architecture containing multifunctional soft organic molecules, which plays a significant role in improved mechanical properties of composites. A bio-inspired composite, using a resilin-based hybrid protein polymer with selective binding motifs for reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), was developed. The adhesive and elastic domains of fusion proteins show a synergistic effect with improvement in both the strength and toughness of synthetic nacre. We observed that the hybrid protein could act as a spacer molecule tuning the ion sorption and transport across the inter-layers of NFC/RGO depending on the processing conditions. Interestingly, the protein complexed freestanding solid-state films showed negligible internal resistance and improved supercapacitance suitable for flexible electronic devices. The protein-mediated binding of NFC and RGO reduces the resistance arising from poor electrode/electrolyte interfaces, which is difficult to achieve through conventional routes. The current biosynthetic route for engineering proteins provides a novel prospect to develop materials programmed with desired properties, depending on target applications.