Reinforcement of polymeric nanofibers by ferritin nanoparticles

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers containing bimolecular ferritin nanoparticles exhibited the enhancement of elastic modulus as compared to pure PVA nanofibers due to chemical interactions between the ferritin and the PVA matrix. The elastic modulus of the nanofibers was measured using a three-point bending test employing an atomic force microscope (AFM). To improve the reliability of the AFM measurements, uniform nanofibers were oriented linearly on an AFM calibration grating by introducing parallel subelectrodes in an electrospinning system. The length to diameter ratio of the measured nanofibers was > 16. The PVA nanofibers reinforced by ferritin are applicable as artificial muscles and actuators. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.