Natural rubber/bombyx mori silk fibroin composites: preparation and properties

A novel natural rubber/silk fibroin (NR/SF) antibacterial composite was prepared firstly by using bombyx mori silk fibroin as the antimicrobial filler through latex compounding techniques. The results from scanning electron microscopy and universal tensile machine proved that the compatibility between SF and NR matrix is excellent, and the tensile strength of composite sheets is enhanced to some extent. NR/SF antibacterial composite sheets have a good antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the suitable loading of SF is 0.5∼1 wt% according to the results above. © (2011) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.