The study of biomaterials includes aspects of medicine, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science and materials science. Biomaterials are likely to revolutionize modern materials science, yet there are still many open questions regarding their processability and our ability to predict their properties, especially for materials made from multiple biopolymer components. The focus of this research is to understand the interactions between Avicel cellulose and <i>B</i><i>ombyx mori </i>silk biocomposites, and how these interactions affect the cellulose crystallite formation and protein secondary structures, which directly affect ionic conductivity. Various characterization methods were employed to study the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of the biocomposite films including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-Ray Scattering, Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy (DRS), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). With systematic variation of the cellulose/silk percent ratio, ionic liquid type and coagulation agent, we provided evidence to suggest a direct relationship between morphology and ionic conductivity. In particular, the results show that the ionic conductivity is dependent on material content, cellulose crystallinity and protein beta sheet content.

Relationship between morphology, elasticity, and conductivity of cellulose-silk biocomposites fabricated from ionic liquids and various coagulation agents

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.