Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chulalongkorn University, 2008

Silk fibroin nanoparticles were prepared by precipitating silk fibroin solution in organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, and iso-propanol). The secondary structure of silk fibroin nanoparticles was controlled by organic solvent. The size and morphology of the silk fibroin nanoparticles wer characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Silk fibroin nanoparticles were prepared. The results indicated that the silk fibroin nanoparticles have spherical shape with particles sizes in the range 90-100 nm. The molecular characteristics of single silk fiber, silk fibroin solution, silk fibroin films, and silk fibroin nanoparticles were investigated by ATR FT-IR microspectroscopy. The technique gives molecular information of native single silk fiber without sample destruction. The results indicated that the secondary structure of silk fibroin nanoparticle precipitated in methanol were rich in b-sheet structure compared to those prepared from ethanol and iso-propanol. Silk fibroin nanoparticles can apply for silver nanoparticles deposition. Silver nanoparticles are well dispersed and well deposited on silk fibroin nanoparticles