Structural and Mechanical Properties of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Biocomposites Reinforced with Different Silk-Fibroin Fabric Structures

Abstract

To develop novel biocomposites, three different silk-fibroin fabrics (plain woven fabric, plain weft-knit fabric and non-woven fabric) were, respectively, blended with poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) by a solution blending method. The effects of various fabric structures on the mechanical and microstructure properties of silk-fibroin fabric reinforced (SF-fabric-reinforced) PCL biocomposites were investigated. It was obvious that the breaking strength and elongation of SF-fabric-reinforced PCL biocomposites decreased while the Youngs modulus increased. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) photographs showed that silk-fibroin fabrics were well bonded with PCL matrix. From Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction (WXRD) analysis, plain woven and plain weft-knit fabrics showed higher ability to increase the crystallinity of PCL matrix compared with non-woven fabric.