Effect of Silk Sericin Content on the Electrospun Silk Nanofibrous Membrane Property

Abstract

Background: Silk sericin has a significant influence on the regenerated silk solution and silk-based materials property, while few reports were found to investigate this topic. Aim: The aim is to discuss the effect of silk sericin content on the electrospun silk nanofibrous membrane. Methods: Four degumming conditions (none degumming, boiling water degumming, 0.05 % Na2CO3 degumming, 0.5 % Na2CO3 degumming) were carried out for a systematic investigation in terms of (1) the silk sericin content after degumming; (2) the morphology of regenerated silk nanofibrous membrane was characterized by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM); and (3) structural properties of regenerated silk nanofibrous membrane by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Results and Conclusion: The results show that 0.5 % Na2CO3 degumming results in poor spinnability. The solutions derived from none degumming and boiling water degumming present high viscosity, leading to a hard silk nanofiber fabrication process. The silk nanofiber from the 0.05 % Na2CO3 degumming shows an easier fabrication process and better nanofiber morphology. These results will benefit the silk-based materials preparation, biomedical and separation application.