Bioinspired super-tough and multifunctional soy protein-based material via a facile approach

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2021-02, Vol.405, p.126700, Article 126700
• Main Authors: Li, Feng, Liu, Tao, Gu, Weidong, Gao, Qiang, Li, Jianzhang, Shi, Sheldon Q.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomimetic materials; Multifunctional materials; Soy protein; Toughness
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126700

[Display omitted] •A lipid bilayer-inspired soy protein-based film was proposed via a facile process.•This film possessed superior toughness (24.54 MJ/m3) and rapid self-healing ability.•A multifunctional responsiveness achieved to detect humidity or temperature change. With the increasing interest and demand for intelligent, multifunctional materials, a judicious and facile design is essential but still challenging in practical applications. Generally, biological materials perform multiple functions based on the perfect synergy and green methodology. Multifunctional, self-assembled lipid bilayers are excellent sources of inspiration for the effective design of multifunctional materials. Biomaterials possess biocompatibility and biodegradability, which are ideal options for intelligent materials. Herein, with an inspiration from lipid bilayers, a delicately designed soy protein-based material with multiple functions is reported. This material exhibits superior toughness (24.54 MJ/m3) and high stretchability (253.54%), and possesses an outstanding self-healing ability with a rapid healing time at ambient temperature. Its integrated toughness and self-healing ability are superior to those of most reported polymeric materials. In addition, the constructed lipid bilayer-like structure enables this soy protein-based material to act as a sensor that can detect various environmental stimuli (humidity or temperature) through electrical and optical responses. The responsive performance of the soy protein-based material is investigated, which has shown good sensitivity and long-term stability. This soy protein-based material with multiple intelligent functions is potentially applicable in bioengineering, wearable electronics, and smart coating.