Preparation and Mechanical and Optical Properties of SF/Pyrrolidone Blend Film

Abstract

To improve the properties of silk fibroin film, the silk fibroin/pyrrolidone blend films were prepared by mixing silk fibroin and pyrrolidone solution at different ratios. The structure and mechanical properties of blend films were characterized. X-ray diffraction was used to investigate structure of the SF/PYR films, and the results indicated that the blend films were composed of the β-sheet form. Tensile strength and elongation at break of blend films were measured using an instron tensile tester. The results showed that tensile strength and elongation at break of blend films were high enough for application. Furthermore, the films’ flexibility was significantly improved. The optical clarity of blend film was tested by Microplate system. It can be seen from the results that optical clarity is not stable, but in some particular ratios we also can get high light transmittance blend films. At last, biocompatibility of blend films (the rate of the blend film is 30%) was accessed with L929 cell. The results showed that all types of blend films were able to support cell adhesion and proliferation. In addition, the cellular morphology of the cells cultured on blend films was better than that on silk fibroin films. In view of the mechanical properties and optical clarity, combined with their ability to support L929 proliferation suggests that this blend films will offer new options in many different biomedical applications.