Silk
“Silk is a natural protein fibre, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity (sericulture). The shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fibre, which allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles, thus producing different colors.” (Wikipedia, Silk, 11/27/2010)
Recent Journal Articles
Influence of Various Reduction Reagents on the Morphological Properties of Ag Nanoparticles@Silk Fiber Prepared Using Sonochemical Method
(369-375) Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials 21 #2 (2011)
Abbasi and Morsali of Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, prepared silk fiber-containing Ag nanoparticles through chemical reduction under ultrasound irradiation. The influence of reducing reagents on the morphological properties of the Ag nanoparticles-silk fiber was studied. The size of the metallic nanoparticles vary significantly with the type of reducing reagent used in the synthesis. A strong reducing reagent promotes a fast reaction rate and favors the formation of smaller nanoparticles. A weak reducing reagent induces a slow reaction rate and favors relatively larger particles. (RDC 5/23/2011)
Silk grafting with methacrylamide: A near-infrared spectroscopy study
(253–262)Journal of Applied Polymer Science 120 #1 (2011)
Zoccola et al , Italy confirmed that the MAA monomer concentration, the initiator amount, and the liquor ratio are the major parameters affecting the yield of the reaction. (RDC 1/10/2011)
Review Articles
11/12/2010
Composite materials based on silk proteins
(1093-1115) Progress in Polymer Science 35 #9 (2010)
Silk fibers produced by silkworms and spiders are useful materials and can be used in fibers, foams, gels, and powders and a variety of composites.(RDC 11/27/210)