Ionic Liquid-Assisted Synthesis of Mesoporous Silk Fibroin/Silica Hybrids for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

New mesoporous silk fibroin (SF)/silica hybrids were processed via a one-pot soft and energy-efficient sol–gel chemistry and self-assembly from a silica precursor, an acidic or basic catalyst, and the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, acting as both solvent and mesoporosity-inducer. The as-prepared materials were obtained as slightly transparent-opaque, amorphous monoliths, easily transformed into powders, and stable up to ca. 300 °C. Structural data suggest the formation of a hexagonal mesostructure with low range order and apparent surface areas, pore volumes, and pore radii of 205–263 m2 g–1, 0.16–0.19 cm3 g–1, and 1.2–1.6 nm, respectively. In all samples, the dominating conformation of the SF chains is the β-sheet. Cytotoxicity/bioactivity resazurin assays and fluorescence microscopy demonstrate the high viability of MC3T3 pre-osteoblasts to indirect (≥99 ± 9%) and direct (78 ± 2 to 99 ± 13%) contact with the SF/silica materials. Considering their properties and further improvements, these systems are promising candidates to be explored in bone tissue engineering. They also offer excellent prospects as electrolytes for solid-state electrochemical devices, in particular for fuel cells.

Metal Sulfide Nanoparticle Synthesis with Ionic Liquids – State of the Art and Future Perspectives

“…The resulting materials show high levels of complexity and often an ordered hybrid nanoarchitecture [204] . Similar observations can, for example, also be made for silk fibroin/inorganic composites [205] …”

“…[204] Similar observations can, for example, also be made for silk fibroin/inorganic composites. [205] Moreover, ILs can provide very specific reaction environments, because they can provide strongly segregated domains with different characteristics of the individual domains. This includes ionic liquid crystal phases with highly polar ionic domains that are perfectly suited for (nano)crystal formation even at elevated temperatures.…”

Recent Research Progress of Ionic Liquid Dissolving Silks for Biomedicine and Tissue Engineering Applications

“…New mesoporous hybrid materials can be obtained by dissolving inorganic materials and SF with IL, which has a broad application prospect in bone tissue engineering. Meanwhile, it can also be used as solid-state electrochemical devices, especially the electrolyte of fuel cells [ 115 ]. Figure 8 displays the preparation scheme of SF/silica biomaterial with a high surface area synthesized by using [BMIM]Cl [ 115 ].…”

Recent Trends in Elaboration, Processing, and Derivatization of Cellulosic Materials Using Ionic Liquids

“…In the following, many examples for the use of ILs in biopolymer processing have been reported. Besides cellulose, ILs appeared as highly suitable solvents for various biopolymers such as chitin 11 , wool 12 and silk 13 . IL processing of these materials led to new materials with new application profiles.…”

“…Besides cellulose, ILs appeared as highly suitable solvents for various biopolymers such as chitin, 11 wool, 12 and silk. 13 IL processing of these materials led to new materials with new application profiles. In particular, ionic liquids offer an efficient and green alternative for the chemical modification of cellulose.…”