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<p>This study reports the fabrication of translucent silk fibroin (SF) nanocomposite films reinforced with tin oxide (SnO<sub>2</sub>) and indium oxide (In<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) nanoparticles via solvent casting. Rheological analysis revealed shear-thinning behaviour with the most pronounced viscosity reduction at 0.75 wt% nanoparticle loading. Structural characterisation (FTIR and XRD) indicated suppression of <i>β</i>-sheet formation, favouring random coil conformations, accompanied by a marked decrease in crystallinity (65.44 ± 1.63% to 38.56 ± 0.97%) and crystallite size (1.42 ± 0.3&#xa0;nm to 0.95 ± 0.1&#xa0;nm). Increased surface roughness and homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion were verified by FESEM imaging. While optical investigations revealed greater transparency of SF/SnO<sub>2</sub> films, with 85 ± 3% transmission at 550&#xa0;nm compared to 70 ± 4% for virgin SF, the thermogravimetric study revealed improved thermal stability. The mechanical properties of pure silk fibroin exhibited the highest tensile strength (9.85 ± 1.29&#xa0;MPa) and breaking strain (38 ± 2.79%), reflecting its rigidity. Incorporation of In<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> and SnO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles improved film flexibility but slightly reduced tensile strength to 6.54 ± 1.05&#xa0;MPa and 5.32 ± 0.95&#xa0;MPa, respectively. Electrical measurements revealed improved conductivity and elevated dielectric constants at low frequencies, with SF/SnO<sub>2</sub> films reaching 3.58 ± 0.15 × 10<sup>−9</sup> S/sq, driven by enhanced charge mobility and interfacial polarisation. Furthermore, the fabricated SF/SnO<sub>2</sub> sensor maintains 96 ± 2% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles at a constant pressure of 10&#xa0;kPa and very low hysteresis (7.23 ± 0.64%), indicating good mechanical stability and practical sensing capability. The flexible SF nanocomposite capacitive pressure sensor shows good sensitivity (0.16 ± 0.03&#xa0;kPa<sup>−1</sup>). The combined optical transparency, mechanical flexibility, and functional performance highlight the potential of these nanocomposite films, which are suitable for portable devices, wearable health-monitoring systems, and real-time pressure-sensing applications.</p>

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Silk fibroin-based nanocomposite films reinforced with SnO2 and In2O3 for transparent and flexible electronics capacitive pressure sensor

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月27日

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  • Dharmendra Kumar,
  • Roli Purwar

摘要

This study reports the fabrication of translucent silk fibroin (SF) nanocomposite films reinforced with tin oxide (SnO2) and indium oxide (In2O3) nanoparticles via solvent casting. Rheological analysis revealed shear-thinning behaviour with the most pronounced viscosity reduction at 0.75 wt% nanoparticle loading. Structural characterisation (FTIR and XRD) indicated suppression of β-sheet formation, favouring random coil conformations, accompanied by a marked decrease in crystallinity (65.44 ± 1.63% to 38.56 ± 0.97%) and crystallite size (1.42 ± 0.3 nm to 0.95 ± 0.1 nm). Increased surface roughness and homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion were verified by FESEM imaging. While optical investigations revealed greater transparency of SF/SnO2 films, with 85 ± 3% transmission at 550 nm compared to 70 ± 4% for virgin SF, the thermogravimetric study revealed improved thermal stability. The mechanical properties of pure silk fibroin exhibited the highest tensile strength (9.85 ± 1.29 MPa) and breaking strain (38 ± 2.79%), reflecting its rigidity. Incorporation of In2O3 and SnO2 nanoparticles improved film flexibility but slightly reduced tensile strength to 6.54 ± 1.05 MPa and 5.32 ± 0.95 MPa, respectively. Electrical measurements revealed improved conductivity and elevated dielectric constants at low frequencies, with SF/SnO2 films reaching 3.58 ± 0.15 × 10−9 S/sq, driven by enhanced charge mobility and interfacial polarisation. Furthermore, the fabricated SF/SnO2 sensor maintains 96 ± 2% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles at a constant pressure of 10 kPa and very low hysteresis (7.23 ± 0.64%), indicating good mechanical stability and practical sensing capability. The flexible SF nanocomposite capacitive pressure sensor shows good sensitivity (0.16 ± 0.03 kPa−1). The combined optical transparency, mechanical flexibility, and functional performance highlight the potential of these nanocomposite films, which are suitable for portable devices, wearable health-monitoring systems, and real-time pressure-sensing applications.