Protein fibers with self-recoverable mechanical properties via dynamic imine chemistry

Jing Sun, Haonan He, Kelu Zhao, Wenhao Cheng, Yuanxin Li, Peng Zhang, Sikang Wan, Yawei Liu, Mengyao Wang, Ming Li, Zheng Wei, Bo Li, Yi Zhang, Cong Li, Yao Sun, Jianlei Shen, Jingjing Li, Fan Wang, Chao Ma, Yang Tian, Juanjuan Su (), Dong Chen (), Chunhai Fan, Hongjie Zhang and Kai Liu ()
Additional contact information
Jing Sun: East China Normal University
Haonan He: Tsinghua University
Kelu Zhao: Tsinghua University
Wenhao Cheng: Tsinghua University
Yuanxin Li: Tsinghua University
Peng Zhang: Tsinghua University
Sikang Wan: Tsinghua University
Yawei Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Mengyao Wang: Tsinghua University
Ming Li: Tsinghua University
Zheng Wei: Tsinghua University
Bo Li: Tsinghua University
Yi Zhang: Tsinghua University
Cong Li: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yao Sun: Tsinghua University
Jianlei Shen: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jingjing Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Fan Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chao Ma: Tsinghua University
Yang Tian: East China Normal University
Juanjuan Su: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dong Chen: Zhejiang University
Chunhai Fan: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Hongjie Zhang: Tsinghua University
Kai Liu: Tsinghua University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract The manipulation of internal interactions at the molecular level within biological fibers is of particular importance but challenging, severely limiting their tunability in macroscopic performances and applications. It thus becomes imperative to explore new approaches to enhance biological fibers’ stability and environmental tolerance and to impart them with diverse functionalities, such as mechanical recoverability and stimulus-triggered responses. Herein, we develop a dynamic imine fiber chemistry (DIFC) approach to engineer molecular interactions to fabricate strong and tough protein fibers with recoverability and actuating behaviors. The resulting DIF fibers exhibit extraordinary mechanical performances, outperforming many recombinant silks and synthetic polymer fibers. Remarkably, impaired DIF fibers caused by fatigue or strong acid treatment are quickly recovered in water directed by the DIFC strategy. Reproducible mechanical performance is thus observed. The DIF fibers also exhibit exotic mechanical stability at extreme temperatures (e.g., −196 °C and 150 °C). When triggered by humidity, the DIFC endows the protein fibers with diverse actuation behaviors, such as self-folding, self-stretching, and self-contracting. Therefore, the established DIFC represents an alternative strategy to strengthen biological fibers and may pave the way for their high-tech applications.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41084-1

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