Hydrogen bonding-assisted thermal conduction in β-sheet crystals of spider silk protein

Zhang, Lin; Chen, Teli; Ban, Heng; Liu, Ling

doi:10.1039/c4nr01195c

Cited by 45 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 41 publications

(50 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These values are considerably more reasonable for a semicrystalline, protein‐based polymer, such as human hair or a different species of spider . Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations have shown that the β‐sheets (that were the original explanation for the high conductivity of the dragline silk) have a thermal conductivity of only 2–4 W m −1 K −1 , depending on the number of strands in the sheet …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Synthetic Spider Silk Crystallinity and Alignment via Electrothermal, Pyroelectric, Literature XRD, and Tensile Techniques

Munro

Putzeys

Copeland

et al. 2017

Macro Materials & Eng

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The processes used to create synthetic spider silk greatly affect the properties of the produced fibers. This paper investigates the effect of process variations during artificial spinning on the thermal and mechanical properties of the produced silk. Property values are also compared to the ones of the natural dragline silk of the N. clavipes spider, and to unprocessed (as-spun) synthetic silk. Structural characterization by scanning pyroelectric microscopy is employed to provide insight into the axial orientation of the crystalline regions of the fiber and is supported by XRD data. The results show that stretching and passage through liquid baths induce crystal formation and axial alignment in synthetic fibers, but with different structural organization than natural silks. Furthermore, an increase in thermal diffusivity and elastic modulus is observed with decreasing fiber diameter, trending towards properties of natural fiber. This effect seems to be related to silk fibers being subjected to a radial gradient during production.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Synthetic Spider Silk Crystallinity and Alignment via Electrothermal, Pyroelectric, Literature XRD, and Tensile Techniques

Munro

Putzeys

Copeland

et al. 2017

Macro Materials & Eng

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In these silk proteins, the abundant β-sheet crystals are embedded in a semiamorphous matrix of 3 1 helices and β-turns (Figure 1c), 14 contributing significantly to the physical properties of the silk materials. For instance, our previous study has shown that the thermal conductivity of the poly-alanine (poly-A) β-sheet, 15 an essential building block of the Nephila clavipes spider silk, can be 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than that reported for other protein structures. 16 The main contributor to this phenomenon is the hydrogen bonding between the β-strands (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Effects of the amino acid sequence on thermal conduction through β-sheet crystals of natural silk protein

Zhang

Bai

Ban

et al. 2015

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent experiments have discovered very different thermal conductivities between the spider silk and the silkworm silk. Decoding the molecular mechanisms underpinning the distinct thermal properties may guide the rational design of synthetic silk materials and other biomaterials for multifunctionality and tunable properties. However, such an understanding is lacking, mainly due to the complex structure and phonon physics associated with the silk materials. Here, using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics, we demonstrate that the amino acid sequence plays a key role in the thermal conduction process through β-sheets, essential building blocks of natural silks and a variety of other biomaterials. Three representative β-sheet types, i.e. poly-A, poly-(GA), and poly-G, are shown to have distinct structural features and phonon dynamics leading to different thermal conductivities. A fundamental understanding of the sequence effects may stimulate the design and engineering of polymers and biopolymers for desired thermal properties.

show abstract

“…Atomistic simulations suggest that, in particular, the b-sheets have an unexpectedly high thermal conductivity related to their inter-strand hydrogen bonding. 141 Fully understanding, and emulating, these attributes remains an ongoing pursuit, as research continues to reveal the novel, potentially useful, properties of natural silks beyond their well-known mechanical performance. 142 In the quest of a spider-like silk fiber, it is important to note that reproducing the precise mechanical properties of native spider silk may not necessarily be useful.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

With great structure comes great functionality: Understanding and emulating spider silk

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The overarching aim of biomimetic approaches to materials synthesis is to mimic simultaneously the structure and function of a natural material, in such a way that these functional properties can be systematically tailored and optimized. In the case of synthetic spider silk fibers, to date functionalities have largely focused on mechanical properties. A rapidly expanding body of literature documents this work, building on the emerging knowledge of structure-function relationships in native spider silks, and the spinning processes used to create them. Here, we describe some of the benchmark achievements reported until now, with a focus on the last five years. Progress in protein synthesis, notably the expression on full-size spidroins, has driven substantial improvements in synthetic spider silk performance. Spinning technology, however, lags behind and is a major limiting factor in biomimetic production. We also discuss applications for synthetic silk that primarily capitalize on its nonmechanical attributes, and that exploit the remarkable range of structures that can be formed from a synthetic silk feedstock.

show abstract

Hydrogen bonding-assisted thermal conduction in β-sheet crystals of spider silk protein

Cited by 45 publications

References 41 publications

Investigation of Synthetic Spider Silk Crystallinity and Alignment via Electrothermal, Pyroelectric, Literature XRD, and Tensile Techniques

Investigation of Synthetic Spider Silk Crystallinity and Alignment via Electrothermal, Pyroelectric, Literature XRD, and Tensile Techniques

Effects of the amino acid sequence on thermal conduction through β-sheet crystals of natural silk protein

With great structure comes great functionality: Understanding and emulating spider silk

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About