Influence of alcohol treatments on properties of silk-fibroin-based films for highly optically transparent coating applications

• DOI: 10.1039/d0ra02634d
• Publication Date: 2020-04-21T15:16:30Z
• Authors: Supranee Kaewpirom; Siridech Boonsang
• Keywords: Fibroin

Thin films of silk fibroin were prepared by solvent evaporation from calcium chloride/ethanol aqueous solution. The influence alcohol treatments on thermal, mechanical and optical properties silk-fibroin-based film is presented. To understand the conformal structure alcohol-treated film, IR spectral decomposition method employed. especially transparency, haze fluorescence emission systematically investigated together with to effect fibril such as beta-sheet influencing properties. Monohydric treatment increased beta-turn content in regenerated structure. These affected amount light diffusion scattering within silk-fibroin films. With alcohol-treatment, all exhibit exceptional transparency (>90%) different levels (2.56-14.17%). In particular, ethanol-treated contain highest beta-turns (22.8%). displayed a distinct interference oscillating crests troughs UV-Vis transmittance spectra, thereby showing lowest 2.56%. contrast, treated methanol propanol (14.17%) second-highest (10.29%) haze, respectively. (20.5%). results show relationship between manifestly provide manufacture optically transparent adjustable which can be designed meet specific applications potential UV-shielding protection via monohydric treatment.