Presentation Information
[2PME-04-KL]Structural Modulation and Piezoelectric Potential of Spider Silk Protein Films for Bio-integrated Applications
○En-Tzu Chang1, Ming-Hua Ho1 (1. National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan))
Keywords:
Spider silk protein,Piezoelectricity,Thin film polarization
Spider silk protein is a promising biomaterial due to its exceptional mechanical properties and inherent biocompatibility. Structurally, spider silk protein features a hierarchical fibrillar organization, where high elasticity and electromechanical behavior originate from the coexistence of crystalline β-sheet domains and amorphous α-helix regions. While β-sheets provide mechanical robustness through a stable hydrogen-bonded network, recent studies suggest that α-helix content influences piezoelectric responses. The structural transformation and dipole moment orientation of α-helices under external mechanical stress contribute significantly to the overall polarization efficiency.
Spider silk protein films were fabricated via the solution casting method and subjected to direct-current poling to enhance their piezoelectric potential in this research. Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) confirmed that spider silk protein exhibits piezoelectric activity across various solvent system. The HFIP-based system displayed significant piezoelectric amplitudes, showing a positive correlation with protein concentration (from 5% to 10%). Conversely, the formic acid (FA) system yields lower piezoelectrical signals and reached a saturation point at a 5% protein concentration. This divergence suggests that HFIP and FA induce distinct conformational changes, revealed by α-helices/β-sheets ratio alteration. Consequently, the choice of solvent affect both secondary structures formations and macroscopic electromechanical responses.
Due to the high cell-adhesion affinity and controlled degradation rates of spider silk protein, these films combining natural piezoelectricity with high biosafety are expected to serve as a competitive multifunctional platform for functional scaffolds providing localized electrical stimulation.
Spider silk protein films were fabricated via the solution casting method and subjected to direct-current poling to enhance their piezoelectric potential in this research. Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) confirmed that spider silk protein exhibits piezoelectric activity across various solvent system. The HFIP-based system displayed significant piezoelectric amplitudes, showing a positive correlation with protein concentration (from 5% to 10%). Conversely, the formic acid (FA) system yields lower piezoelectrical signals and reached a saturation point at a 5% protein concentration. This divergence suggests that HFIP and FA induce distinct conformational changes, revealed by α-helices/β-sheets ratio alteration. Consequently, the choice of solvent affect both secondary structures formations and macroscopic electromechanical responses.
Due to the high cell-adhesion affinity and controlled degradation rates of spider silk protein, these films combining natural piezoelectricity with high biosafety are expected to serve as a competitive multifunctional platform for functional scaffolds providing localized electrical stimulation.
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