Electrospinner: Super strong silk fiber fed

Background

Research on carbon nanotube-reinforced silk fibers has shown significant progress in improving the mechanical properties of silk fibers. By combining the high-strength properties of carbon nanotubes and the renewability of silk, researchers have successfully developed a new type of silk fiber with performance comparable to that of natural spider silk. The development of this material not only promotes the development of materials science, but also provides the possibility of achieving more environmentally friendly and sustainable material solutions. In addition, this material has great potential for industrial production and is expected to replace traditional synthetic fibers in many fields, especially in applications that require high strength and biocompatibility

Combination of carbon nanotubes with silk fibers

Studies have shown that high-strength carbon nanotubes can be introduced into silk by feeding silkworms with mulberry leaves containing carbon nanotubes, and there is a good interaction between carbon nanotubes and silk fibroin, which is confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations. The introduction of carbon nanotubes helps to increase the β-folding content, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of silk fibers.

Improved mechanical properties

Through carbon nanotube feeding and forced drawing technology, the tensile strength of silk fibers can reach about 1.2 GPa and the Young's modulus can reach 24.4 GPa, which is comparable to natural spider silk. This new type of silk fiber shows obvious advantages in mechanical properties.

Structural evolution

Infrared spectroscopy analysis shows that during the feeding and forced drawing of carbon nanotubes, the conformation of silk fibers changes from amorphous components such as random coils/α-helices to β-folded crystals. Polarized Raman spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray diffraction spectroscopy show that this process induces the transformation of the orientation of crystal components in silk.

Principle and influencing factors of electrospinning technology

The principle of electrospinning technology is to use an electrostatic field to spray polymer solution or melt into extremely fine fibers to form fiber membranes, non-woven fabrics or fiber materials. Factors affecting electrospinning technology include fiber morphology, fiber diameter, fiber structure, fiber properties, etc., which can be controlled by adjusting process parameters.

Combination of electrospinning technology and carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are used as nanofillers in electrospinning to enhance the performance of polymer-based composites due to their high conductivity and high strength properties. Electrospinning technology can produce nanofibers containing carbon nanotubes. These fibers are suitable for preparing high-performance fiber materials and high-functional fiber membranes due to their unique physical properties and surface morphology.

Application prospects

This super-strong silk fiber has a wide range of potential applications in clothing, medical and other high-performance materials, such as safer and healthier sutures or stents

Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:

https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202408385