Formation of Cellulose/Silk-Fibroin Blended Fibres

This article presents research results concerning the formation of cellulose/silk-fibroin blended fibres. Bio-modified cellulose and silk-fibroin isolated from cocoons of the Bombyx mori silkworm were used for our investigations. In order to find advantageous fibre-forma tion conditions, the influence of bath composition and formation (spinning) speed on the silk-fibroin content in the fibres was tested. An aqueous solution of sulphuric acid with the addition of ammonium sulphate (VI) and sodium sulphate (VI) was used as the coagulation bath, and the fibre spinning was carried out at speed of 15 m/min. The fibres obtained, with a content of silk-fibroin within the range of 2% to 13.5%, were tested in order to assess their mechanical properties, and their surface and cross-sections state was evaluated by the SEM method.