Suna Fan

Bio: Suna Fan is an academic researcher from Donghua University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Fibroin & SILK. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 43 publications receiving 473 citations.

Single Molecular Layer of Silk Nanoribbon as Potential Basic Building Block of Silk Materials

Abstract: In this study, nascent silk nanoribbons (SNRs) with an average thickness of 0.4 nm were extracted from natural silkworm silk by partially dissolving degummed silk (DS) in sodium hydroxide (NaOH)/urea solution at −12 °C. In this gentle treatment, the solvent could not destroy the nanofibrillar structure completely, but the chosen conditions would influence the dimensions of resulting SNRs. Molecular dynamics simulations of silk models indicated that the potential of mean force required to break hydrogen bonds between silk fibroin chains was 40% larger than that of van der Waals interactions between β-sheet layers, allowing the exfoliating treatment. It was found that the resulting SNRs contained a single β-sheet layer and amorphous silk fibroin molecules, which could be considered as the basic building block of DS consisting of hierarchical structures. The demonstrated technique for extracting ultrathin SNRs having the height of a single β-sheet layer may provide a useful pathway for creating stronger and ...

Electrospinning and Electrospun Nanofibers: Methods, Materials, and Applications

Abstract: Electrospinning is a versatile and viable technique for generating ultrathin fibers. Remarkable progress has been made with regard to the development of electrospinning methods and engineering of electrospun nanofibers to suit or enable various applications. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of electrospinning, including the principle, methods, materials, and applications. We begin with a brief introduction to the early history of electrospinning, followed by discussion of its principle and typical apparatus. We then discuss its renaissance over the past two decades as a powerful technology for the production of nanofibers with diversified compositions, structures, and properties. Afterward, we discuss the applications of electrospun nanofibers, including their use as "smart" mats, filtration membranes, catalytic supports, energy harvesting/conversion/storage components, and photonic and electronic devices, as well as biomedical scaffolds. We highlight the most relevant and recent advances related to the applications of electrospun nanofibers by focusing on the most representative examples. We also offer perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, and new directions for future development. At the end, we discuss approaches to the scale-up production of electrospun nanofibers and briefly discuss various types of commercial products based on electrospun nanofibers that have found widespread use in our everyday life.

Bacterial Cellulose-Based Composite Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications: A Review

Abstract: Bacterial cellulose (BC), with non-toxicity, high purity, and biocompatibility, has been considered as a versatile candidate for various biomedical applications. Recently, the fabrication of BC-bas...

Self-Healable Multifunctional Electronic Tattoos Based on Silk and Graphene

Abstract: Electronic tattoos (E-tattoos), which can be intimately mounted on human skin for noninvasive and high-fidelity sensing, have attracted the attention of researchers in the field of wearable electronics. However, fabricating E-tattoos that are capable of self-healing and sensing multistimuli, similar to the inherent attributes of human skin, is still challenging. Herein, a healable and multifunctional E-tattoo based on a graphene/silk fibroin/Ca2+ (Gr/SF/Ca2+) combination is reported. The highly flexible E-tattoos are prepared through printing or writing using Gr/SF/Ca2+ suspension. The graphene flakes distributed in the matrix form an electrically conductive path that is responsive to environmental changes, such as strain, humidity, and temperature variations, endowing the E-tattoo with high sensitivity to multistimuli. The performance of the E-tattoo is investigated as a strain, humidity, and temperature sensor that shows high sensitivity, a fast response, and long-term stability. The E-tattoo is remarkably healed after damage by water because of the reformation of hydrogen and coordination bonds at the fractured interface. The healing efficiency is 100% in only 0.3 s. Finally, as proof of concept, its applications for monitoring of electrocardiograms, breathing, and temperature are shown. Based on its unique properties and superior performance, the Gr/SF/Ca2+ E-tattoo may be a promising candidate material for epidermal electronics.