Effect of degumming methods on structural characteristics and properties of regenerated silk

Hyun Ju Kim, Moo Kon Kim, Ki Hoon Lee, Si Kab Nho, Myung Sae Han, In Chul Um

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

80 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of different degumming methods on the structural characteristics and properties of regenerated silk fibroin (SF) were examined. The crystallinity index of the degummed silk increased with the degumming ratio. The crystallinity index at any given degumming ratio differed depending on the degumming method. The soda method and the soap/soda method using sodium carbonate resulted in a higher crystallinity index than the other methods The degumming method strongly affects the molecular weight (MW) and solution viscosity of the regenerated SF. The MW and viscosity of the regenerated SF, according to the degumming method, was in the order of urea method > HTHP method ≈ acid method > soap/soda method ≈ soda method. The turbidity of a silk formic acid solution decreased as a result of increasing the degumming ratio and was a minimum at a degumming ratio of around 26%. However, it was not affected by the degumming method. The mechanical properties of a regenerated SF film were strongly affected by the degumming method and the trend in the strength and elongation with the various degumming methods was the same as that of the MW and viscosity of the regenerated SF.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)294-302
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Volume104
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2017

Keywords

  • Degumming method
  • Silk
  • Structural characteristics

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