Dissolution and characterization of regenerated Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin

Dissolution of Antheraea pernyi silk fiber was carried out in a calcium nitrate solution with various dissolving conditions. The solubility was significantly dependent on the concentration of calcium nitrate, dissolving temperature, and time. The proper conditions of dissolution were found as 7M calcium nitrate, 100°C temperature, and 3 h dissolving time. The aqueous solution of A. pernyi silk fibroin was composed of a mixture of polypeptides with several molecular weights above 14 kDa. FTIR and XRD showed that regenerated A. pernyi silk fibroin was composed of an α-helix as well as a random-coil conformation while silk fiber had a traditional β-sheet structure. The endo–exo transition in the temperature ranges of 228–232°C also supports these conformations of regenerated silk fibroin film. TGA and DTG curves showed that the thermal decomposition of regenerated A. pernyi silk fibroin proceeded by three steps, not dependent on the conformation. The mechanical damping peaks (tan δ) appeared about 227°C with a minor shoulder maximum about 240°C, which were somewhat lower than those of tussah silk fiber. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 750–758, 2001