Electrospinning Device: Ultrafast bidirectional bending and humidity-responsive flexible actuator based on biomimetic hierarchical structure modified with ultrafine silk fiber rods

Background

Electrospinning technology is often used to prepare silk fibroin-based composite materials. For example, silk fibroin can be combined with natural macromolecules, carbon nanomaterials, synthetic polymers, nanometals or metal oxides to form silk fibroin composite films. In this study, ultrafine silk fiber rods (SFR) were mixed with graphene oxide (GO) to prepare SFRGO composite materials, which mimicked the hierarchical structure of seed pods and showed excellent humidity response properties.

Mechanical properties of silk fibroin

Silk fibroin membranes themselves have poor softness, elasticity and elongation, which limits their application. The mechanical properties of silk fibroin can be effectively improved by blending with other polymers through electrospinning technology. In the SFRGO/RGO composite material, the introduction of SFR significantly improved its strength, strain and Young's modulus, laying the foundation for flexible and intelligent applications.

Humidity response properties of silk fibroin

Silk fibroin-based materials prepared by electrospinning technology can have excellent humidity response properties. The SFRGO/RGO composite material exhibits ultrafast response speed and bidirectional bending performance during hydration and dehydration, which echoes the humidity response characteristics of silk fibroin-based materials prepared by electrospinning technology.

Biocompatibility of silk fibroin

Silk fibroin has good biocompatibility, which is an important basis for its application in the biomedical field. In SFRGO/RGO composite materials, the biocompatibility of silk fibroin may help improve the biointegration performance of the brake.

Intelligent application of silk fibroin

Silk fibroin-based materials prepared by electrospinning technology have shown broad application prospects in the fields of smart switches and robot arms. The bidirectional bending deformation and ultrafast humidity response capabilities of SFRGO/RGO composite materials make it show broad application prospects in the field of intelligent actuator robots.

Environmental characteristics of silk fibroin

As a natural material, silk fibroin has environmentally friendly characteristics, which is consistent with the environmental protection and sustainability goals pursued by electrospinning technology. The development of SFRGO/RGO composite materials not only demonstrates the innovative potential of silk in the field of high-tech materials, but also provides new ideas for the development of intelligent soft robots.

Summary

In summary, electrospinning technology and silk fibroin are closely related in the development of moisture-sensitive flexible brakes. The combination of the two provides new possibilities for the development of smart materials, especially in terms of biocompatibility, mechanical properties and humidity responsiveness.

Electrospinning Nanofibers Article Source:

https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202309364