Formation and characterization of Langmuir silk films

Langmuir films were formed from regenerated (solubilized cocoons) Bombyx mori silk. Pressure/area isotherms and deposition studies indicate the formation of stable films; however, due to the molecular weight and solubility nature of silk it has been difficult to determine the area occupied by each protein polymer chain. The thin films were successfully transferred on to various solid supports for analysis. Ellipsometry data indicate a film thickness of 11.6 to 11.9 A. Infrared spectrometry (ATR) shows wavenumbers at the amide bands of 1624 (amide I), 1522 (amide II), l258 (amide III), and 700.8 (amide V), indicative of a silk II structure. TEM micrographs show pores of 300-3500 A in diameter and electron diffraction analysis indicates a polycrystalline structure.