Many natural proteins self-assemble in complex ways, either to fulfill their biological function or introduce particular properties, such as high strength and toughness. We report the morphological transition in water from a spherical to rod-like shape of Bombyx mori silk fibroin by reducing the pH. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering were used to characterize the dilute solutions of silk fibroin in an aqueous environment, and provide direct visualization of the transformation of spherical micelles at pH 6.8 to nanofibrils at pH 4.8. This change in morphology occurred as a result of the stretching entropy due to the formation of β-sheets, which was analyzed using circular dichroism spectroscopy. This study demonstrates the selfassembly of silk fibroin as a function of pH.

Color dye-doped silk fibroin nanoparticles were successfully fabricated using a microemulsion method. An aqueous silk fibroin solution was prepared by dissolving cocoons (Bombyx mori) in a concentrated lithium bromide solution followed by dialysis. A color dye solution was also mixed with the aqueous silk fibroin solution. The surfactants used for the microemulsion were then removed by methanol and ethanol, yielding color dye-doped silk fibroin nanoparticles, approximately 167 nm in diameter. The secondary structure of the nanoparticles showed a β-sheet conformation, as characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of the nanoparticles was determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and their size and size distribution were measured by dynamic light scattering. The color dye-doped silk fibroin nanoparticles were examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

The discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has opened up exciting opportunities for the development of novel materials with desirable properties. The superior mechanical properties and excellent electrical conductivity make CNTs a good filler material for composite reinforcement. However, the dispersal of CNTs in a polymer solution or melt is difficult due to their tendency to agglomerate. Many attempts have been made to fully utilize CNTs for the reinforcement of polymeric media. Therefore, different types of polymer/CNTs nanocomposites have been synthesized and investigated. This paper reviews the current progress in the preparation, properties and application of polyamide/CNTs (nylon/CNTs) nanocomposites. The effectiveness of different processing methods has increased the dispersive properties of CNTs and the amelioration of their poor interfacial bonding. Moreover, the mechanical properties are significantly enhanced even with a small amount of CNTs. This paper also discusses how reinforcement with CNTs improves the electrical thermal and optical properties of nylon/CNTs nanocomposites.

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Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(3-hydrobutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were blended with poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) (NBR). Both PLLA/NBR and PHBV/NBR blends exhibited higher tensile properties as the content of acrylonitrile unit (AN) of NBR increased from 22 to 50 wt %. However, two separate glass transition temperatures (T g ) appeared in PLLA/NBR blends irrespective of the content of NBR, revealing that PLLA was incompatible with NBR. In contrast, a single T g , which shifted along with the blend composition, was observed for PHBV/ NBR50 blends. Moreover NBR50 suppressed the crystallization of PHBV, indicating that PHBV was compatible with NBR50. Decrease of both elongation modulus and stress at maximum load was less significant and increase of elongation at break was more pronounced in PHBV/NBR50 blends than in PLLA/NBR50 blends.