The Effect of Molecular Weight on the Gelation Behavior of Regenerated Silk Solutions

The various molecular weight (MW) regenerated silk fibroins were prepared with different dissolution condition and the effect of MW on the gelation behavior of regenerated aqueous silk fibroin (SF) solution was investigated. The result of gelation time measurement indicated that the gelation of SF aqueous solution was accelerated by the increase of MW and SF concentration. When formic acid was added in SF aqueous solution, the gelation time of SFL and SFC30 aqueous solution showed a significant decreaseat 0.03% formic acid addition. In case of the lowest MW sample, SFC180, SF molecules became aggregated and precipitated without gelation after 28 days storage time. These findings indicate that MW control of SF can be utilized to control the gelation time of SF aqueous solution.