실크 마이크로 섬유의 제조 및 알지네이트 하이드로젤 보강재로의 활용

Abstract

Silk microfibers (MSFs) prepared directly from silk fibroin fibers (SFFs) have advantages over those prepared from regenerated silk fibroin. These advantages include a simple process and high crystallinity. This study provides preliminary results on preparing MSFs and their application as reinforcing fillers for hydrogels. Compared to previous methods using only NaOH, we suggest more mild conditions by lowering the concentration of NaOH and adding Na2CO3. In our study, the length of the MSFs was less than 200 μm after 6 h of immersion of SFFs in the NaOH/Na2CO3 solution. X-ray diffraction results revealed that MSFs have a similar crystallinity to that of SFFs. When MSFs were added to the alginate solution, the solution exhibited increased viscosity and shear thinning behavior. The alginate/ MSF hydrogel had enhanced compressive properties as compared to the alginate hydrogel, and the reinforcing effect was affected by the length of the MSFs.