Novel Applications of Silk Proteins Based on Their Interactions with Metal Ions

Qingmei Wen, Lei Zhang, Yilu Chen, Yi Su, Jingmou Yu, Pu Chen () and Tao Zheng ()
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Qingmei Wen: Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
Lei Zhang: Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Yilu Chen: Jiangsu Ecogreen Biotechnology Institute, Nanjing 211100, China
Yi Su: Zhejiang Ecogreen Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., Huzhou 313000, China
Jingmou Yu: Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Pu Chen: Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Tao Zheng: Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-34

Abstract: Silk secreted by Bombyx mori L. silkworm has become one of the most important biomaterials, due to its excellent biocompatibility, controllable biodegradability, superior processability, and unique mechanical properties. Silk fibroin and sericin, as the two components of silk, contain abundant polar functional groups, and thus can bind metal ions through electrostatic interaction and chelation. Based on this binding, silk proteins not only can be used to fabricate ecofriendly and efficient adsorbents to remove heavy metals from waterbodies, but also can synthesize metal nanostructures (nanoparticles or nanoclusters) to form silk/metal composites with amazing optical or electrochemical characteristics. This binding also can be manipulated to optimize silk’s performance. This review focuses on discussing and summarizing advances in the use of silk fibroin and sericin for heavy metal ion-contaminated water remediation, biosensing materials, and electrochemical materials from the perspective of the interaction between silk proteins and metal ions. The performance enhancement of silk using metal ions is also analyzed. Moreover, the silk proteins’ interactions with metal ions and related structural features that contribute to the above sustainable applications are illustrated to lay a theoretical foundation. This review will favor the expansion of the applications of silk in both the traditional textile field and new biomaterials.

Keywords: silk protein; silk peptide; metal ion; mechanical property; heavy metal-contaminated water remediation; biosensing; electrochemical (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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