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Electrospinning Bombyx mori silk with poly(ethylene oxide).
Hyoung-Joon Jin1, Sergey V Fridrikh, Gregory C Rutledge
1Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Bioengineering Center, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA.
Biomacromolecules
|November 12, 2002
Summary
Researchers electrospun silkworm silk and poly(ethylene oxide) blends into nanoscale fibers. These protein-based biomaterial scaffolds offer high surface area for potential applications in tissue engineering and filtration.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Textile Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Electrospinning is a technique used to create nanoscale fibers for applications like filters and scaffolds.
- Nanofibers offer high surface area, beneficial for biomaterial applications such as vascular grafts and wound dressings.
- Silk fibroin from Bombyx mori is a protein-based biomaterial with potential for scaffold fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the electrospinning of protein-based biomaterials, specifically regenerated silkworm silk (Bombyx mori).
- To fabricate scaffolds and membranes using silk fibroin solutions.
- To improve the processability of silk fibroin solutions by blending with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO).
Main Methods:
- Regenerated silkworm silk fibroin was blended with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) of molecular weight 900,000.
- Aqueous blends of varying silk/PEO compositions were subjected to electrospinning.
- Fiber morphology was analyzed using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Surface composition was characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Main Results:
- Electrospinning of various silk/PEO blend compositions was successful.
- Fabricated fibers exhibited uniform diameters, measuring less than 800 nm.
- XPS analysis confirmed the presence and distribution of silk and PEO on the fiber surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Aqueous-based electrospinning of silk and silk/PEO blends is a viable method for fabricating biomaterial scaffolds.
- The resulting fibrous protein scaffolds offer a high surface area.
- This technique presents a promising option for creating advanced biomaterial scaffolds.