Modular Architecture of Protein Binding Units for Designing Properties of Cellulose Nanomaterials |
| |
Authors: | Jani‐Markus Malho Suvi Arola Prof Päivi Laaksonen Dr Géza R Szilvay Prof Olli Ikkala Prof Markus B Linder |
| |
Institution: | 1. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tietotie 2, P.O. Box 1000, 02044 Espoo (Finland);2. School of Chemical Technology, Aalto University, P.O. Box 16100, 00076 Aalto (Finland);3. School of Science, Aalto University, P.O. Box 15100, 00076 Aalto (Finland) |
| |
Abstract: | Molecular biomimetic models suggest that proteins in the soft matrix of nanocomposites have a multimodular architecture. Engineered proteins were used together with nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) to show how this type of architecture leads to function. The proteins consist of two cellulose‐binding modules (CBM) separated by 12‐, 24‐, or 48‐mer linkers. Engineering the linkers has a considerable effects on the interaction between protein and NFC in both wet colloidal state and a dry film. The protein optionally incorporates a multimerizing hydrophobin (HFB) domain connected by another linker. The modular structure explains effects in the hydrated gel state, as well as the deformation of composite materials through stress distribution and crosslinking. Based on this work, strategies can be suggested for tuning the mechanical properties of materials through the coupling of protein modules and their interlinking architectures. |
| |
Keywords: | biomimetics cellulose materials nanocomposites supramolecular chemistry |
|
|