Controlling the structure and properties of semi-crystalline cellulose/silk-fibroin biocomposites by ionic liquid type and hydrogen peroxide concentration

This work reports how to tune the semi-crystallinity of a blended microcrystalline cellulose/silk-fibroin biocomposite using ionic liquids and various coagulation agents. The morphological thermal properties 1:1 polymeric system are studied as function polymer fabrication parameters. Ionic liquids, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate verses chloride, used competing solvent types six hydrogen peroxide solutions (1—25%) plus water varying Analysis results demonstrate that anion type, Ac− Cl−, affects protein secondary structure formation, type concentration changes morphology stability regenerated materials. Polymers dissolved in less thermally stable than those chloride. Furthermore, carbohydrate microcrystal size is positively correlated upon calculated have either gradual or step transition increase depending solvent's type.