A Biomimetic Composite from Solution Self‐Assembly of Chitin Nanofibers in a Silk Fibroin Matrix

Abstract

A chitin nanofiber-silk biomimetic nanocomposite with enhanced mechanical properties is self-assembled from solution to yield ultrafine chitin nanofibers embedded in a silk matrix.

Chitin Nanofiber Transparent Paper for Flexible Green Electronics

“…[36,51] It is notable that for ChNF paper the peak corresponding to the intersheet diffraction appears in between (2θ = 8.2°), which suggests that our ChNF paper may possess crystallographic characteristics of both chitin polymorphs. [41,44] Further indication of the coexistence of both crystals is also revealed from FT-IR analysis (Figure 2d), in which the ChNF paper has an absorption spectrum intermediate between the two chitin polymorphs. In general, β-chitin is characterized by a single broad absorption peak at around 1630 cm −1 that springs from the intramolecular C O···HO hydrogen bonds ( Figure S4, Supporting Information).…”

“…These ChNF are bottom-up self-assembled from chitin/HFIP solution as the chitin-chitin intermolecular hydrogen bonds are revitalized as the solvent evaporates. [44,49] This solvent evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) of ChNF is different from other bottom-up ChNF regeneration methods in that the EISA route does not require any coagulation process that indispensably uses antisolvents to recrystallize ChNF. [40][41][42] Figure 2b shows cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the ChNF paper, which reveals that the ChNF are oriented horizontally in-plane making up a nonporous as-casted transparent ChNF paper and (f) a plane origami from a ChNF paper (both scale bars = 2 cm).…”

“…We use β-chitin rather than α-chitin, because the former polymorph features relatively less dense intermolecular hydrogen bonds and is more prone to solvation. [32,44] HFIP is an outstanding Paper, a flexible sheet composed of cellulose fibers, is one of the greatest inventions of mankind. [1,2] Ever since its birth two millennia ago, paper has been ubiquitously utilized for a variety of essential applications from storing/displaying information to packaging and artwork, etc.…”

Characterization of the Secondary Structure of CP30, a Highly Repetitive Ampholytic Protein in Beetle Elytral Cuticle

“…[13] Recently, a novel composite material with enhanced mechanical properties was made from chitin nanofibers and silk proteins formed to mimic the nanostructure of insect cuticle. [2] CP30 may also be a promising protein that can be used to create novel, biomimetic composite materials.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] The remarkable and diverse properties of biological materials stem from complex hierarchical structures and precisely assembled chemical interactions.…”