Natural Silk Fibroin Based on Aggregation-Induced Emission with a Clustering-Triggered Mechanism and Its Multiple Applications

At present, more new aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials of a clustering-triggered emission mechanism with excellent solubility, biocompatible, and biodegradability are urgently needed. Here, silk fibroin (SF), which actually can emit weak light but has high emission when formed into aggregates, was discovered. In addition, room temperature phosphorescence in SF solids was observed. Furthermore, SF can be used as a fluorescence tracker for three-color imaging and biosensors. The results demonstrate that SF is a novel AIE biomaterial with multiple applications.

Automated summary

Silk fibroin (SF) is a novel AIE biomaterial with high emission when formed into aggregates, capable of room temperature phosphorescence and serving as a fluorescence tracker for three-color imaging and biosensors, demonstrating multiple applications.