Engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials: the impact of chemical and physical modification strategies

In this study, an in-depth exploration was conducted on the mechanical properties of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) materials through diverse processing modalities, encompassing wet pressing, humidity treatments at varying levels, and the incorporation of plasticizers. Notably, these approaches indu...

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Main Authors: Haitao Guan, Fang Ding, Ye Xue, Jinli Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Chemistry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1606995/full
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author Haitao Guan
Haitao Guan
Fang Ding
Ye Xue
Ye Xue
Jinli Zhao
author_facet Haitao Guan
Haitao Guan
Fang Ding
Ye Xue
Ye Xue
Jinli Zhao
author_sort Haitao Guan
collection DOAJ
description In this study, an in-depth exploration was conducted on the mechanical properties of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) materials through diverse processing modalities, encompassing wet pressing, humidity treatments at varying levels, and the incorporation of plasticizers. Notably, these approaches induced substantial modifications in the mechanical properties of RSF materials. The elastic strength of RSF exhibited a wide range, from 12.6 to 1,644.8 MPa; the ultimate strength spanned from 0.12 to 42.63 MPa, and the maximum elongation at break fluctuated between 0.67% and 614.38%. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying the effects of these distinct treatment methods were meticulously investigated. This fundamental research not only provides crucial insights into the modulation of silk fibroin’s mechanical properties but also holds significant promise for broadening its applications in the biomedical engineering domain, particularly in the pivotal fields of bone tissue and tendon regeneration.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Chemistry
spelling doaj-art-4bf98f8445f2444fa89ce1b148d26e572025-08-20T03:10:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Chemistry2296-26462025-06-011310.3389/fchem.2025.16069951606995Engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials: the impact of chemical and physical modification strategiesHaitao Guan0Haitao Guan1Fang Ding2Ye Xue3Ye Xue4Jinli Zhao5Clinical Innovation Research Center of Nantong University-Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Pain and Ultrasonography, Nantong Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Imaging, Nantong Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, ChinaClinical Innovation Research Center of Nantong University-Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, ChinaIn this study, an in-depth exploration was conducted on the mechanical properties of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) materials through diverse processing modalities, encompassing wet pressing, humidity treatments at varying levels, and the incorporation of plasticizers. Notably, these approaches induced substantial modifications in the mechanical properties of RSF materials. The elastic strength of RSF exhibited a wide range, from 12.6 to 1,644.8 MPa; the ultimate strength spanned from 0.12 to 42.63 MPa, and the maximum elongation at break fluctuated between 0.67% and 614.38%. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying the effects of these distinct treatment methods were meticulously investigated. This fundamental research not only provides crucial insights into the modulation of silk fibroin’s mechanical properties but also holds significant promise for broadening its applications in the biomedical engineering domain, particularly in the pivotal fields of bone tissue and tendon regeneration.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1606995/fullregenerated silk fibroinmechanical propertyplasticizerchemical modificationnatural polymer
spellingShingle Haitao Guan
Haitao Guan
Fang Ding
Ye Xue
Ye Xue
Jinli Zhao
Engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials: the impact of chemical and physical modification strategies
Frontiers in Chemistry
regenerated silk fibroin
mechanical property
plasticizer
chemical modification
natural polymer
title Engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials: the impact of chemical and physical modification strategies
title_full Engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials: the impact of chemical and physical modification strategies
title_fullStr Engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials: the impact of chemical and physical modification strategies
title_full_unstemmed Engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials: the impact of chemical and physical modification strategies
title_short Engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials: the impact of chemical and physical modification strategies
title_sort engineering the mechanical characteristics of regenerated silk fibroin materials the impact of chemical and physical modification strategies
topic regenerated silk fibroin
mechanical property
plasticizer
chemical modification
natural polymer
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1606995/full
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