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Preparation of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks composed of silk fibroin and poly(ethylene glycol) macromer
Author(s) -
Kweon H. Y.,
Park S. H.,
Yeo J. H.,
Lee Y. W.,
Cho C. S.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.1281
Subject(s) - fibroin , macromonomer , ethylene glycol , peg ratio , materials science , polymer chemistry , polymer , ultimate tensile strength , chemical engineering , copolymer , composite material , silk , finance , economics , engineering
Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) composed of silk fibroin (SF) and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) diacrylate macromer were synthesized and characterized. The conformation of SF in SIPNs was changed from a random coil to a β‐sheet structure by formation of SIPNs with PEG, while the crystalline structures of SF and PEG in SIPNs was not changed. The decomposition temperature of SF in the SIPNs was inner‐shifted, an indication of SIPN formation between the SF and the PEG macromer. The tensile strength and elongation of the SIPNs were much higher than were those of SF itself or the SF/PEG blend and increased with an increase of the PEG content. The equilibrium water content of SF was remarkably increased by formation of SIPNs with PEG due to the hydrophilic property of PEG. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1848–1853, 2001