Studies on the mechanical properties of silk fibroin membranes. (Part 3). The mechanical properties of fibroin-chitosan membranes.

Abstract

The mechanical properties of silk fibroin membranes were improved by mixing with a suitable amount of chitosan. The strength increased by 80%, while the elongation decreased to 60%. The change in mechanical properties was considered to be the result of the high orientation of molecules backed up by the strong hydrogen bonding between the molecules of chitosan and silk fibroin.