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Greco G, Schmuck B, Del Bianco L, Spizzo F, Fambri L, Pugno NM, Veintemillas-Verdaguer S, Morales MP, Rising A. High-performance magnetic artificial silk fibers produced by a scalable and eco-friendly production method. ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS 2024; 7:163. [PMID: 39371407 PMCID: PMC11447077 DOI: 10.1007/s42114-024-00962-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
Flexible magnetic materials have great potential for biomedical and soft robotics applications, but they need to be mechanically robust. An extraordinary material from a mechanical point of view is spider silk. Recently, methods for producing artificial spider silk fibers in a scalable and all-aqueous-based process have been developed. If endowed with magnetic properties, such biomimetic artificial spider silk fibers would be excellent candidates for making magnetic actuators. In this study, we introduce magnetic artificial spider silk fibers, comprising magnetite nanoparticles coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid. The composite fibers can be produced in large quantities, employing an environmentally friendly wet-spinning process. The nanoparticles were found to be uniformly dispersed in the protein matrix even at high concentrations (up to 20% w/w magnetite), and the fibers were superparamagnetic at room temperature. This enabled external magnetic field control of fiber movement, rendering the material suitable for actuation applications. Notably, the fibers exhibited superior mechanical properties and actuation stresses compared to conventional fiber-based magnetic actuators. Moreover, the fibers developed herein could be used to create macroscopic systems with self-recovery shapes, underscoring their potential in soft robotics applications. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42114-024-00962-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Greco
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Benjamin Schmuck
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14183 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lucia Del Bianco
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, Via G. Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Federico Spizzo
- Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, Via G. Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luca Fambri
- Department of Industrial Engineering and INSTM Research Unit, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Nicola Maria Pugno
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Laboratory for Bioinspired, Bionic, Nano, Meta Materials & Mechanics, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, UK, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS UK
| | | | - Maria Puerto Morales
- Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, ICMM/CSIC, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 14183 Huddinge, Sweden
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2
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Tzror Y, Bezner M, Deri S, Trigano T, Ben-Harush K. Nanofilament organization in highly tough fibers based on lamin proteins. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 160:106748. [PMID: 39332142 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
The escalating plastic pollution crisis necessitates sustainable alternatives, and one promising solution involves replacing petroleum-based polymers with fibrous proteins. This study focused on the recombinant production of intracellular fibrous proteins, specifically Caenorhabditis elegans lamin (Ce-lamin). Ce-lamins spontaneously organize within the cell nucleus, forming a network of nanofilaments. This intricate structure serves as an active layer that responds dynamically to mechanical strain and stress. Herein, we investigated the arrangement of nanofilaments into nanofibrils within wet-spun Ce-lamin fibers using alcoholic solutions as coagulants. Our goal was to understand their structural and mechanical properties, particularly in comparison with those produced with solutions containing Ca+2 ions, which typically result in the formation of nanofibrils with a collagen-like pattern. The introduction of ethanol solutions significantly altered this pattern, likely through rearrangement of the nanofilaments. Nevertheless, the resulting fibers exhibited superior toughness and strain, outperforming various synthetic fibers. The significance of the nanofilament structure in enhancing fiber toughness was emphasized through both the secondary structure transition during stretching and the influence of the Q159K point mutation. This study improves our understanding of the structural and mechanical aspects of Ce-lamin fibers, paving the way for the development of eco-friendly and high-quality fibers suitable for various applications, including medical implants and composite materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Tzror
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, Jabotinsky 84, 77245, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Mark Bezner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, Jabotinsky 84, 77245, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Shani Deri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, Jabotinsky 84, 77245, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Tom Trigano
- Department of Electrical Engineering, SCE - Shamoon College of Engineering, Jabotinsky 84, 77245, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Kfir Ben-Harush
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Shamoon College of Engineering, Jabotinsky 84, 77245, Ashdod, Israel.
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3
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Schmuck B, Greco G, Pessatti TB, Sonavane S, Langwallner V, Arndt T, Rising A. Strategies for Making High-Performance Artificial Spider Silk Fibers. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2024; 34:2305040. [PMID: 39355086 PMCID: PMC11440630 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202305040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2024]
Abstract
Artificial spider silk is an attractive material for many technical applications since it is a biobased fiber that can be produced under ambient conditions but still outcompetes synthetic fibers (e.g., Kevlar) in terms of toughness. Industrial use of this material requires bulk-scale production of recombinant spider silk proteins in heterologous host and replication of the pristine fiber's mechanical properties. High molecular weight spider silk proteins can be spun into fibers with impressive mechanical properties, but the production levels are too low to allow commercialization of the material. Small spider silk proteins, on the other hand, can be produced at yields that are compatible with industrial use, but the mechanical properties of such fibers need to be improved. Here, the literature on wet-spinning of artificial spider silk fibers is summarized and analyzed with a focus on mechanical performance. Furthermore, several strategies for how to improve the properties of such fibers, including optimized protein composition, smarter spinning setups, innovative protein engineering, chemical and physical crosslinking as well as the incorporation of nanomaterials in composite fibers, are outlined and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Schmuck
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesBox 7011Uppsala75007Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska Institutet, NeoHuddinge14186Sweden
| | - Gabriele Greco
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesBox 7011Uppsala75007Sweden
| | - Tomas Bohn Pessatti
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesBox 7011Uppsala75007Sweden
| | - Sumalata Sonavane
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesBox 7011Uppsala75007Sweden
| | - Viktoria Langwallner
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesBox 7011Uppsala75007Sweden
| | - Tina Arndt
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska Institutet, NeoHuddinge14186Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and BiochemistrySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesBox 7011Uppsala75007Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska Institutet, NeoHuddinge14186Sweden
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4
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Mi J, Li X, Niu S, Zhou X, Lu Y, Yang Y, Sun Y, Meng Q. High-strength and ultra-tough supramolecular polyamide spider silk fibers assembled via specific covalent and reversible hydrogen bonds. Acta Biomater 2024; 176:190-200. [PMID: 38199426 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Achieving ultra-high tensile strength and exceptional toughness is a longstanding goal for structural materials. However, previous attempts using covalent and non-covalent bonds have failed, leading to the belief that these two properties are mutually exclusive. Consequently, commercial fibers have been forced to compromise between tensile strength and toughness, as seen in the differences between nylon and Kevlar. To address this challenge, we drew inspiration from the disparate tensile strength and toughness of nylon and Kevlar, both of which are polyamide fibers, and developed an innovative approach that combines specific intermolecular disulfide bonds and reversible hydrogen bonds to create ultra-strong and ultra-tough polyamide spider silk fibers. Our resulting Supramolecular polyamide spider silk, which has a maximum molecular weight of 1084 kDa, exhibits high tensile strength (1180 MPa) and extraordinary toughness (433 MJ/m3), surpassing Kevlar's toughness 8-fold. This breakthrough presents a new opportunity for the sustainable development of spider silk as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic commercial fibers, as spider silk is composed of amino acids. Future research could explore the use of these techniques and fundamental knowledge to develop other super materials in various mechanical fields, with the potential to improve people's lives in many ways. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: • By emulating synthetic commercial fibers such as nylon and polyethylene, we have successfully produced supramolecular-weight polyamide spider silk fibers with a molecular weight of 1084 kDa through a unique covalent bond-mediated linear polymerization reaction of spider silk protein molecules. This greatly surpasses the previous record of a maximum molecular weight of 556 kDa. • We obtained supramolecular polyamide spider silk fibers with both high-tensile strength and toughness. The stress at break is 1180 MPa, and the toughness is 8 times that of kevlar, reaching 433 MJ/m3. • Our results challenge the notion that it is impossible to manufacture fibers with both ultra-high tensile strength and ultra-toughness, and provide theoretical guidance for developing environmentally friendly and sustainable structural materials that meet industrial needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Mi
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore,14 Science Drive 4 117543, Singapore
| | - Shiwei Niu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Science and Technology Achievement Incubation Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Xingping Zhou
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
| | - Yihang Lu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yuchen Yang
- Key Laboratory of Textile Science & Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yuan Sun
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Qing Meng
- College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; College of Life and Geographic Sciences, Kashi University, Xin Jiang 844006, China.
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5
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Kim DG, Lee Y, Cho KY, Jeong YC. On-Demand Transient Paper Substrate for Selective Disposability of Thin-Film Electronic Devices. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37368509 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c03214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrates a novel approach to creating a thin-film electronic device that offers selective or complete disposability only in on-demand conditions while maintaining stable operation reliability during everyday use. The approach involves a transient paper substrate, combined with phase change encapsulation and highly bendable planarization materials, achieved through a simple solution process. The substrate used in this study offers a smooth surface morphology that enables the creation of stable multilayers for thin-film electronic devices. It also exhibits superior waterproof properties, which allows the proof-of-concept organic light-emitting device to function even when submerged in water. Additionally, the substrate provides controlled surface roughness under repeated bending, demonstrating reliable folding stability for 1000 cycles at 10 mm of curvature. Furthermore, a specific component of the electronic device can be selectively made to malfunction through predetermined voltage input, and the entire device can be fully disposed of via Joule-heating-induced combustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Gwan Kim
- Digital Transformation R&D Department, KITECH, 143, Hanggaulro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngwoo Lee
- Digital Transformation R&D Department, KITECH, 143, Hanggaulro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Kuk Young Cho
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Cheol Jeong
- Digital Transformation R&D Department, KITECH, 143, Hanggaulro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
- Semiconductor Display Research Center, KITECH, 143, Hanggaulro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
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6
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Engineering Mechanical Strong Biomaterials Inspired by Structural Building Blocks in Nature. Chem Res Chin Univ 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-023-2357-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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7
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Yao X, Zou S, Fan S, Niu Q, Zhang Y. Bioinspired silk fibroin materials: From silk building blocks extraction and reconstruction to advanced biomedical applications. Mater Today Bio 2022; 16:100381. [PMID: 36017107 PMCID: PMC9395666 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2022.100381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Silk fibroin has become a promising biomaterial owing to its remarkable mechanical property, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sufficient supply. However, it is difficult to directly construct materials with other formats except for yarn, fabric and nonwoven based on natural silk. A promising bioinspired strategy is firstly extracting desired building blocks of silk, then reconstructing them into functional regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) materials with controllable formats and structures. This strategy could give it excellent processability and modifiability, thus well meet the diversified needs in biomedical applications. Recently, to engineer RSF materials with properties similar to or beyond the hierarchical structured natural silk, novel extraction and reconstruction strategies have been developed. In this review, we seek to describe varied building blocks of silk at different levels used in biomedical field and their effective extraction and reconstruction strategies. This review also present recent discoveries and research progresses on how these functional RSF biomaterials used in advanced biomedical applications, especially in the fields of cell-material interactions, soft tissue regeneration, and flexible bioelectronic devices. Finally, potential study and application for future opportunities, and current challenges for these bioinspired strategies and corresponding usage were also comprehensively discussed. In this way, it aims to provide valuable references for the design and modification of novel silk biomaterials, and further promote the high-quality-utilization of silk or other biopolymers.
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8
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He W, Qian D, Wang Y, Zhang G, Cheng Y, Hu X, Wen K, Wang M, Liu Z, Zhou X, Zhu M. A Protein-Like Nanogel for Spinning Hierarchically Structured Artificial Spider Silk. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2201843. [PMID: 35509216 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202201843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Spider dragline silk is draw-spun from soluble, β-sheet-crosslinked spidroin in aqueous solution. This spider silk has an excellent combination of strength and toughness, which originates from the hierarchical structure containing β-sheet crosslinking points, spiral nanoassemblies, a rigid sheath, and a soft core. Inspired by the spidroin structure and spider spinning process, a soluble and crosslinked nanogel is prepared and crosslinked fibers are drew spun with spider-silk-like hierarchical structures containing cross-links, aligned nanoassemblies, and sheath-core structures. Introducing nucleation seeds in the nanogel solution, and applying prestretch and a spiral architecture in the nanogel fiber, further tunes the alignment and assembly of the polymer chains, and enhances the breaking strength (1.27 GPa) and toughness (383 MJ m-3 ) to approach those of the best dragline silk. Theoretical modeling provides understanding for the dependence of the fiber's spinning capacity on the nanogel size. This work provides a new strategy for the direct spinning of tough fiber materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian He
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Dong Qian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Guanghao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- Chemical Engineering College, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Huhhot, 010051, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Kai Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Meilin Wang
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Zunfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Meifang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
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9
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Silk Fibroin-Based Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27092757. [PMID: 35566110 PMCID: PMC9103528 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering (TE) involves the combination of cells with scaffolding materials and appropriate growth factors in order to regenerate or replace damaged and degenerated tissues and organs. The scaffold materials serve as templates for tissue formation and play a vital role in TE. Among scaffold materials, silk fibroin (SF), a naturally occurring protein, has attracted great attention in TE applications due to its excellent mechanical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and bio-absorbability. SF is usually dissolved in an aqueous solution and can be easily reconstituted into different forms, including films, mats, hydrogels, and sponges, through various fabrication techniques, including spin coating, electrospinning, freeze drying, and supercritical CO2-assisted drying. Furthermore, to facilitate the fabrication of more complex SF-based scaffolds, high-precision techniques such as micro-patterning and bio-printing have been explored in recent years. These processes contribute to the diversity of surface area, mean pore size, porosity, and mechanical properties of different silk fibroin scaffolds and can be used in various TE applications to provide appropriate morphological and mechanical properties. This review introduces the physicochemical and mechanical properties of SF and looks into a range of SF-based scaffolds that have recently been developed. The typical applications of SF-based scaffolds for TE of bone, cartilage, teeth and mandible tissue, cartilage, skeletal muscle, and vascular tissue are highlighted and discussed followed by a discussion of issues to be addressed in future studies.
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Yan M, Shi J, Tang S, Zhou G, Zeng J, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Yu Y, Guo J. Design for dynamic hydrogen bonding in a double network structure to improve the mechanical properties of sodium alginate fibers. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj03268b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The SA/PAA-VSNP fiber was obtained using dynamic wet spinning through dynamic hydrogen bonding in the double network structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yan
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
| | - Junfeng Shi
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
| | - Song Tang
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
| | - Guohang Zhou
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
| | - Jiexiang Zeng
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
| | - Hong Zhang
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
| | - Yue Yu
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
| | - Jing Guo
- School of Textile and Material Engineering, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, P. R. China
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