Self-Healing Textile: Enzyme Encapsulated Layer-by-Layer Structural Proteins

Abstract

Self-healing materials, which enable an autonomous repair response to damage, are highly desirable for the long-term reliability of woven or nonwoven textiles. Polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer (LbL) films are of considerable interest as self-healing coatings due to the mobility of the components comprising the film. In this work mechanically stable self-healing films were fabricated through construction of a polyelectrolyte LbL film containing squid ring teeth (SRT) proteins. SRTs are structural proteins with unique self-healing properties and high elastic modulus in both dry and wet conditions (>2 GPa) due to their semicrystalline architecture. We demonstrate LbL construction of multilayers containing native and recombinant SRT proteins capable of self-healing defects. Additionally, we show these films are capable of utilizing functional biomolecules by incorporating an enzyme into the SRT multilayer. Urease was chosen as a model enzyme of interest to test its activity via fluorescence assay. Successful construction of the SRT films demonstrates the use of mechanically stable self-healing coatings, which can incorporate biomolecules for more complex protective functionalities for advanced functional fabrics.

Composites of Proteins and 2D Nanomaterials

“…The amino acid sequence of proteins determines their secondary and tertiary structures; hence they provide a variety of structural conformations . Proteins can often self‐assemble in order to form natural materials with extraordinary properties such as extremely high durability or elasticity . Hence, designing new proteins using biotechnology tools has been an interest for materials scientists for modifying and assembling novel morphologies and molecular architectures .…”

Sustainable development of smart textiles: a review of ‘self-functioning’ abilities which makes textiles alive

“…17 The self-healing fabrics with healing coating technology, which was inspired by the self-healing proteins in squid ring teeth, would be one of the exceptional discoveries through the bottom-up process of biomimicry. Gaddes et al 18 reported that the squid ring teeth (SRT) proteins comprised with semi-crystalline construction, flexible and rigid structure and high elastic modulus that contributing towards the properties of self-repairing. During the investigation, a polyelectrolyte film with SRT proteins had been applied onto a torn area of a textile surface as a self-repairing coating.…”

Development of a Biosensor of Urea With the Application of Polymer Technologies for Blood and Urine Analysis

“…Preparation of enzyme-containing polyelectrolyte microcapsules. Polyelectrolyte microcapsules with urease were produced by the method of alternate layer-by-layer adsorption with the application of polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) and polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAAH) molecules to composite calciumcarbonate spherulites containing urease as described in [4][5][6]8].…”