Green Approaches to Manufacturing Electrospun Silk Sericin Nanofibers

전기방사 실크 세리신 나노섬유 제조를 위한 친환경적 접근방식

We developed a green method to extract sericin from silk waste without the use of chemical solvents. This technique not only ensures non-toxicity but also aligns with sustainable practices, minimizing environmental impact. The extracted sericin was mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to create a stable polymeric spinning dope. By optimizing the sericin-to-solvent ratio to 1:30, we achieved the ideal viscosity and electrospinnability. Initial trials were conducted at a laboratory scale, followed by scaling up to a pilot plant. We systematically optimized the electrospinning parameters to ensure the consistent production of nanofibers. In pilot-scale experiments, the electrospinning of PVA loaded with 20 wt% sericin successfully replicated laboratory results. The produced nanofibers had an average diameter of approximately 700 nm. These silk sericin/PVA nanofibers are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, demonstrating potential for applications in skincare and medical textiles. Our research establishes a foundation for the scalable production of eco-friendly sericin composite nanofibers, contributing to the development of functional textiles.