Fabrication of silk nanofibril-embedded regenerated silk fibroin composite fiber by wet spinning

Wet-spun regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) fibers have been extensively studied owing to their 1) useful properties as biomaterials, including good blood compatibility and cyto-compatibility; 2) the various methods available to control the structural characteristics and morphology of the fiber, and 3) the possibility of fabricating blended fibers and new material-embedded fibers. In this study, silk nanofibrils prepared using a new method were embedded in RSF to fabricate wet-spun silk nanofibril/RSF composite fibers. Up to 2% addition of silk nanofibril, the silk nanofibril/RSF dope solution showed slight shear thinning, and the G' and G" of the dope solution were similar. However, above 3% silk nanofibril content, the viscosity of the dope solution significantly increased. In addition, shear thinning was remarkably evident, and the G' of the dope solution was much higher than the G", indicating a very elastic state. As the silk nanofibril content was increased, the wet-spun silk nanofibril/RSF composite fiber became uneven, with a rough surface, and more beaded fibers were produced. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that the beaded fibers were attributed to the inhomogeneous dispersion and presence of agglomerates of the silk nanofibrils. As the silk nanofibril content and RSF concentration increased, the maximum draw ratio decreased, indicating the deterioration of the wet spinnability and post-drawing performance of silk nanofibril/RSF.