Controlled Electrospraying of Sericin Nanoparticles for Enhancing the Functional Surface Properties of Polyester Fabrics

Sericin, a hydrophilic and moisturizing natural protein, is typically discarded during silk degumming, leading to resource waste and environmental pollution. This study introduces a novel surface engineering strategy by applying electrospraying to deposit sericin nanoparticles onto polyester fabrics─marking the first use of this technique to functionalize synthetic textiles with natural biopolymers. This method enables precise control over nanoparticle size and uniform deposition, offering a sustainable and scalable approach for enhancing interfacial properties. Through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken Design (BBD), we optimized key electrospraying parameters (polymer concentration, voltage, and needle size), achieving a minimum particle diameter of 36 nm. The sericin nanoparticle coating significantly improved the surface properties of polyester fabrics: reducing the water contact angle from 140° to 88°, shortening wetting time from 26 to 11 min, and increasing moisture regain from 0.21 to 0.91%. UV protection was also enhanced, with the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rising from 94.77 to 123.18. Importantly, the sericin coating demonstrated excellent wash durability, retaining over 85% of its UV-blocking performance after 20 cycles. This work advances surface and interface science by pioneering the use of electrospraying for biobased coatings on synthetic substrates, offering a precise, eco-friendly solution for sustainable sericin waste valorization while achieving durable and multifunctional surface modifications. Our findings contribute to the development of advanced interfacial materials and sustainable textile manufacturing.