The demand for high-performance sensing devices based on sustainable materials is rapidly increasing. The synthesis of eco-friendly structures with enhanced functionalities can open new perspectives for developing next-generation detection systems that provide environmental and health monitoring. Furthermore, there is a great interest in fabricating and integrating small-sized, energy-efficient sensing systems into smart textiles, enabling real-time health monitoring. In this regard, silk fibroin is a natural protein with attractive physicochemical and mechanical properties, which can be considered for applications in sensing structures. The coupling of silk fibroin with other proteins and tailoring its compositional, structural, morphological, and electrical parameters may offer new possibilities and increase its potential for application in sensing technologies. We present the preparation of hybrid materials based on silk fibroin extracted from silkworm cocoons and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) for advanced sensing applications. Morphological, structural, and compositional studies of the synthesized materials were carried out in detail to evaluate their functionalities. The obtained results showed that the chemical composition and porosity of hybrid structures significantly affect their interactions with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and gases present in the environment and human exhaled breath. In addition, our findings indicate the development of new insights and possibilities for enhancing the electrical and sensing performance of sustainable materials derived from silk fibroin. Hence, we propose a novel and efficient strategy for fabricating low-cost, biocompatible, and biodegradable sponge-like hybrid materials with high sensing performance and superior mechanical properties. The produced sensing structures can be used in environmental and human health monitoring and management systems.
Silk fibroin-derived sustainable hybrid materials for next-generation sensing technologies
Giuseppe De Giorgio;Davide Vurro;Veronica Sberveglieri;Estefania Nunez-Carmona;Andrea Zappettini;Giuseppe Tarabella;Pasquale D’Angelo;Vardan Galstyan
2025
Abstract
The demand for high-performance sensing devices based on sustainable materials is rapidly increasing. The synthesis of eco-friendly structures with enhanced functionalities can open new perspectives for developing next-generation detection systems that provide environmental and health monitoring. Furthermore, there is a great interest in fabricating and integrating small-sized, energy-efficient sensing systems into smart textiles, enabling real-time health monitoring. In this regard, silk fibroin is a natural protein with attractive physicochemical and mechanical properties, which can be considered for applications in sensing structures. The coupling of silk fibroin with other proteins and tailoring its compositional, structural, morphological, and electrical parameters may offer new possibilities and increase its potential for application in sensing technologies. We present the preparation of hybrid materials based on silk fibroin extracted from silkworm cocoons and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) for advanced sensing applications. Morphological, structural, and compositional studies of the synthesized materials were carried out in detail to evaluate their functionalities. The obtained results showed that the chemical composition and porosity of hybrid structures significantly affect their interactions with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and gases present in the environment and human exhaled breath. In addition, our findings indicate the development of new insights and possibilities for enhancing the electrical and sensing performance of sustainable materials derived from silk fibroin. Hence, we propose a novel and efficient strategy for fabricating low-cost, biocompatible, and biodegradable sponge-like hybrid materials with high sensing performance and superior mechanical properties. The produced sensing structures can be used in environmental and human health monitoring and management systems.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
