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Silk fibroin (SF) has a complex multi-block copolymer structure composed of multiple amino acids, exhibits amphiphilicity, functions similar to synthetic surfactants, and can change the thermodynamic energy state of water-based solutions. In electrospinning technology, the surface tension and viscosity of polymer solutions are key factors affecting fiber formation. The amphiphilicity of silk fibroin enables it to act as a natural surfactant during electrospinning to adjust the surface tension and viscosity of the solution, thereby optimizing the formation of nanofibers.
Silk fibroin can significantly improve surface coverage even at very low concentrations (such as 0.01 w/v%), which is better than traditional surfactants. In electrospinning, improving wettability helps improve the adhesion of fibers to substrates, which is crucial for the manufacture of high-performance nanodevices.
The adsorption mechanism of silk fibroin on surfaces with different energies shows that the hydrophobic domains in SF preferentially interact with non-polar surfaces, while the hydrophilic domains face the solution, resulting in the enrichment of SF at the hydrophobic interface. This adaptive adsorption behavior can be used to regulate the orientation and arrangement of fibers in electrospinning technology, thereby achieving precise control of nanofiber structure.
The application of silk fibroin makes it possible to fabricate water-based nanodevices on hydrophobic surfaces, with performance comparable to that of conventional vacuum processing equipment, demonstrating the practicality and wide applicability of water-based nanofabrication. Electrospinning technology can use this property to prepare high-performance nanofiber devices for electronics, materials science, and life sciences.
The biocompatibility and environmental friendliness of silk fibroin in water-based nanofabrication will bring significant advantages, especially in biosensors and next-generation biomedical devices. Silk fibroin-based nanofibers prepared by electrospinning technology show great application potential in the medical and biomedical fields due to their excellent biocompatibility and degradability.
In summary, there is a close connection between electrospinning technology and the application of silk fibroin in the fabrication of water-based nanodevices. The unique properties of silk fibroin enable it to play an important role in the electrospinning process, improve the quality and performance of nanofibers, and expand the application range of water-based nanofabrication.
Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-024-01720-3
