Electron beam-induced crosslinking of silk fibers using triallyl isocyanurate for enhanced properties

In this paper, electron beam (EB) radiation-induced crosslinking of silk fibers by triallyl isocyanurate was accomplished for the first time by exposing the silk fabric in an inert atmosphere. The effect of EB dose (100–300 kGy) on the degree of crosslinking was found to show correlation with sol–gel contents and confirmed by Charlesby–Pinner plot along with their chemical stability in different solvents. Uniform and homogeneous distribution of particles on the fiber surface was observed under a scanning electron microscope, and elemental composition of those particles was detected similar to the silk by energy-dispersive X-ray spectra. Chemical changes occurred due to EB irradiation and crosslinking in the silk polymer was affirmed by attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. From the thermogravimetric analyses, the thermal stability of the irradiated fibers with respect to weight loss was found to have increased from 17 to 32% at higher temperature range. The changes in mechanical property, stiffness, water contact angle, and degree of crosslinking of silk proportionately change with respect to the EB dose. However, 200 kGy EB dose was found optimum based on physical, chemical, and thermal properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47888.