Synthesis of Conductive Cocoon Silk Composites

Herein we report on the preparation of polyaniline (PANI) composite using a cocoon by in situ chemical oxidative polymerisation. The composites thus prepared were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared (IR), and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. We confirmed the PANI/cocoon composite and subsequent carbonisation allowed the formation of micro-sized wafer-shaped carbon. The polymerisation reaction occurs in a chiral reaction field of the silk surface, which can be referred to as bio-interface polymerisation.