Structure and Properties of Antheraea pernyi Silk Modified with Nano-TiO<,2> and Chitosan Composite

摘要

Nano-TiO<,2> and chitosan dispersion system as a novel treatment solution was prepared successfully. The mean size of nano-particles in the aqueous dispersion system was 36.71nm. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser particle size analysis showed that the nano-particles were spherical and homogeneously dispersed in the system. The surface of A. pernyi silk fiber modified with the system was rougher than that of the untreated one. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) spectra indicated that the crosslinking reactions occurred among chitosan, citric acid (or maleic anhydride) and the silk fiber by the catalytic effects of sodium hypophosphite in the dispersion system. The thermal stability of the treated A. pernyi silk fiber was greatly improved in comparison with the untreated one. It was also found that nano- TiO<,2> and chitosan contributed to enhance the mechanical properties including breaking strength, breaking elongation and elasticity of the modified A. pernyi silk fiber.