Reversibly Damping Protein Fibers with High Strength and Self-Recovery Capacity Enabled by Dual Dynamic Bonding...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Spider silk's high strength and supercontraction are desirable for cyclic loading but difficult to replicate in synthetic fibers.
• Existing synthetic fibers often have rigid structures or static cross-links, limiting molecular mobility and recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer reversibly damping protein fibers with enhanced mechanical properties and structural recovery.
• To overcome limitations of static networks in synthetic fibers using a dual-dynamic network fiber chemistry strategy.

Main Methods:

• Developed a dual-dynamic network fiber chemistry (DNFC) strategy.
• Integrated high-density hydrogen bonds, dynamic imine cross-links, and entropy-driven elasticity.
• Investigated humidity-responsive structural recovery mechanisms involving hydration and dehydration.

Main Results:

• Engineered DNF fibers exhibit high mechanical strength and up to 88.95% damping efficiency during cyclic loading.
• Achieved superior damping efficiency compared to regenerated silk and conventional polymer fibers.
• Demonstrated a unique humidity-responsive structural recovery mechanism involving reversible β-sheet rezipping and imine bond reformation.

Conclusions:

• The DNFC strategy provides a versatile platform for creating dynamically adaptive materials.
• This work pioneers a new paradigm in biomimetic protein fiber technology through modular cross-linking.
• The engineered fibers show potential for advanced applications requiring cyclic loading and self-recovery.