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Title Hybrid Amyloid-Chitin Nanofibrils for Magnetic and Catalytic Aerogels
ID_Doc 10864
Authors Peydayesh, M; Boschi, E; Bagnani, M; Tay, D; Donat, F; Almohammadi, H; Li, MQ; Usuelli, M; Shiroka, T; Mezzenga, R
Title Hybrid Amyloid-Chitin Nanofibrils for Magnetic and Catalytic Aerogels
Year 2024
Published Acs Nano, 18, 8
DOI 10.1021/acsnano.4c00883
Abstract In the quest for a sustainable and circular economy, it is essential to explore environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional petroleum-based materials. A promising pathway toward this goal lies in the leveraging of biopolymers derived from food waste, such as proteins and polysaccharides, to develop advanced sustainable materials. Here, we design versatile hybrid materials by hybridizing amyloid nanofibrils derived by self-assembly of whey, a dairy byproduct, with chitin nanofibrils exfoliated from the two distinct allomorphs of alpha-chitin and beta-chitin, extracted from seafood waste. Various hydrogels and aerogels were developed via the hybridization and reassembly of these biopolymeric nanobuilding blocks, and they were further magnetized upon biomineralization with iron nanoparticles. The pH-phase diagram highlights the significant role of electrostatic interactions in gel formation, between positively charged amyloid fibrils and negatively charged chitin nanofibrils. Hybrid magnetic aerogels exhibit a ferromagnetic response characterized by a low coercivity (<50 Oe) and a high specific magnetization (>40 emu/g) at all temperatures, making them particularly suitable for superparamagnetic applications. Additionally, these aerogels exhibit a distinct magnetic transition, featuring a higher blocking temperature (200 K) compared to previously reported similar nanoparticles (160 K), indicating enhanced magnetic stability at elevated temperatures. Finally, we demonstrate the practical application of these hybrid magnetic materials as catalysts for carbon monoxide oxidation, showcasing their potential in environmental pollution control and highlighting their versatility as catalyst supports.
Author Keywords amyloid fibrils; chitin nanofibrils; magneticaerogels; hybridization; self-assembly; exfoliation
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:001167184600001
WoS Category Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Chemistry, Physical; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Research Area Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science
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