Nanoscale investigations of synthetic spider silk fibers modified by physical and chemical processes

Synthetic spider fibers have particular structural and mechanical features that can be improved through extrusion treatments. The surface irregularity, elasticity and strength of fibers are likely to be dependent on their molecular organization and an alcohol bath appears to initiate the transition of random coil structures to β-sheets, resulting in smoother, stronger and more elastic fibers. Atomic force microscopy/force spectroscopy complemented by scanning electron microscopy was able to qualitatively describe synthetic fibers and quantify their roughness and mechanical properties, representing a significant step toward spider silk characterization, and for its application as a biomaterial.