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Controlled self-assembly of plant proteins into high-performance multifunctional nanostructured films

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Kamada, Ayaka 
Rodriguez-Garcia, Marc 
Ruggeri, Francesco Simone  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1232-1907
Levin, Aviad 

Abstract

Abstract: The abundance of plant-derived proteins, as well as their biodegradability and low environmental impact make them attractive polymeric feedstocks for next-generation functional materials to replace current petroleum-based systems. However, efforts to generate functional materials from plant-based proteins in a scalable manner have been hampered by the lack of efficient methods to induce and control their micro and nanoscale structure, key requirements for achieving advantageous material properties and tailoring their functionality. Here, we demonstrate a scalable approach for generating mechanically robust plant-based films on a metre-scale through controlled nanometre-scale self-assembly of water-insoluble plant proteins. The films produced using this method exhibit high optical transmittance, as well as robust mechanical properties comparable to engineering plastics. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability to impart nano- and microscale patterning into such films through templating, leading to the formation of hydrophobic surfaces as well as structural colour by controlling the size of the patterned features.

Description

Funder: University of Cambridge | Darwin College, University of Cambridge (Darwin); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000595


Funder: Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100012623


Funder: EC | EC Seventh Framework Programm | FP7 Ideas: European Research Council (FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific Programme: "Ideas" Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013)); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100011199; Grant(s): 337969


Funder: RCUK | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000268

Keywords

Article, /639/638/298/54/1754, /639/301/923/966, /639/925/350/2251, /639/925/350/2093, /128, /147, /142/126, article

Journal Title

Nature Communications

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2041-1723

Volume Title

12

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group UK
Sponsorship
RCUK | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (RG90413, RG81609)