Physical Analysis of White and Brick Red Eri Silk Fiber

Title

Physical Analysis of White and Brick Red Eri Silk Fiber

Creator

Brahma, Bidhu Bhushan; Kalita, Pranjal; Baruah, Manasi Buzar

Description

Despite growing interest in Eri silk, limited research compares the properties of white and brick red varieties, particularly their optical, mechanical, and crystallinity behaviour. This study investigates the structural, optical, thermal, and surface properties of both varieties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UVvis analysis (UVvis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Eri silk fibers were evaluated for weight loss percentage, functional groups, thermal stability, tensile strength, and amino acid composition. Both experienced around 10% weight loss after degumming. UVvis analysis revealed an increase in optical band gap and decrease in Urbach energy after degumming, indicating improved structural order. XRD analysis showed crystallinity of 55% for degummed white and 50% for brick red Eri silk fiber. TGA demonstrated that undegummed white Eri silk exhibited 10% less mass loss than brick red, indicating higher thermal stability. SEM analysis showed white fibers with an average diameter of 19.34m, compared to 16.32m for brick red. White Eri silk fiber also demonstrated superior stretchability and flexibility in tensile strength tests. Amino acid profiling indicated a higher alanine content in white fiber. These findings enhance the understanding of physical properties of Eri silks varieties for potential applications in textiles and biomaterials. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the Korean Fiber Society 2025.

Source

Fibers and Polymers;Volume;26;Issue;6;Article No.;108077;pp.2327-2340

Date

01-01-2025

Publisher

Korean Fiber Society

Subject

Brick red Eri silk; Crystallinity; Degumming; Fibroin; Thermal stability; White Eri silk; ?-sheets

Coverage

Brahma B.B., Department of Physics, Central Institute of Technology Kokrajhar, Deemed to be University, Ministry of Education, Assam, India; Kalita P., Department of Chemistry, Central Institute of Technology Kokrajhar, Deemed to be University, Ministry of Education, Assam, India; Baruah M.B., Department of Physics, Central Institute of Technology Kokrajhar, Deemed to be University, Ministry of Education, Assam, India

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISSN: 12299197;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-025-00958-5

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105004351135?origin=resultslist