Structure and performance of Bombyx mori silk modified with nano-TiO2 and chitosan

Bombjrk mori (B. mori) silk was modified with the nano-TiO2 and chitosan dispersion system by the crosslinking reactions of citric acid (CA) and maleic anhydride (MA). The average size of the nano-TiO2 particles in the aqueous dispersion system was 36.7 nm. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that the nano-TiO2 particles were spherical and homogeneously dispersed in the dispersion system, and the surface of B. mori silk fiber treated with the nano-TiCi, and chitosan dispersion system was rougher than that of the untreated one. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) Spectrometry indicated that the crystallinity of the B. mori silk fiber increased after treatment. It was also found that the nano-TiO2 and chitosan contributed to significantly enhance the mechanical properties including breaking strength, breaking elongation, initial modulus, rupture work, and elastic recovery property of the B. mori silk fiber. The wrinkle-resistant performance of the treated B. mori silk fabrics was also greatly improved.