Silk-based articles having decreased water uptake and improved mechanical properties, and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

Coated silk fibroin articles and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The articles have a reduced water uptake and improved mechanical properties when compared with uncoated comparable articles. The article includes a silk fibroin article core and a biodegradable hydrophobic polymer layer substantially encompassing the silk fibroin article core. The article has either: (i) at least one mechanical property that is at least 50% greater than a reference mechanical property of the silk fibroin article core in the absence of the biodegradable hydrophobic polymer layer, wherein the at least one mechanical property includes a three-point bending flexural strain; or (ii) a water uptake that is at least 50% lower than a reference water uptake of the silk fibroin article core in the absence of the biodegradable hydrophobic polymer layer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.