Aqueous polymeric systems are critical components for a bevy of uses, most notably in biomedical sciences. However, these materials typically have inherently weak mechanical properties. A critical area of research in recent years is the development of new biocompatible nanofillers to reinforce these polymeric matrices and enhance mechanical properties. In particular, high aspect ratio nanotubes provide the greatest mechanical reinforcement when blended into composite materials. Unfortunately, there are few options for water dispersible nanofillers that would be appropriate for water-soluble polymers. In this study, a plant virus protein nanotube, tobacco mosaic green mild virus (TMGMV), was used to strengthen two hydrophilic composites. In the first example, a cross-linked poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate) hydrogel (PPEGMEA) was synthesized with varying amounts of TMGMV. TMGMV was an effective reinforcing agent at low concentrations, increasing the storage and compressive modulus when compared to neat PPEGMEA hydrogels. To further validate the broad applicability of TMGMV reinforcement, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/TMGMV composite films were studied. TMGMV was found to have a similar reinforcing effect on these film systems. Rod-shaped viruses may represent a broad based reinforcing agent for aqueous systems in the future.

水性聚合物体系是许多用途的关键组件，最显着的是在生物医学领域。但是，这些材料通常固有地具有较弱的机械性能。近年来，研究的一个关键领域是开发新的生物相容性纳米填料，以增强这些聚合物基体并增强机械性能。特别是，高纵横比的纳米管在掺入复合材料后可提供最大的机械增强作用。不幸的是，适用于水溶性聚合物的水分散性纳米填料几乎没有选择。在这项研究中，植物病毒蛋白纳米管，烟草花叶绿色轻度病毒（TMGMV），用于增强两种亲水性复合材料。在第一个示例中 用不同量的TMGMV合成了交联的聚（聚（乙二醇）甲基醚丙烯酸酯）水凝胶（PPEGMEA）。与纯PPEGMEA水凝胶相比，TMGMV在低浓度下是一种有效的增强剂，可增加储存和压缩模量。为了进一步验证TMGMV增强材料的广泛适用性，对聚乙烯醇（PVA）/ TMGMV复合膜进行了研究。发现TMGMV对这些薄膜系统具有类似的增强作用。杆状病毒将来可能会成为水性体系的基础广泛的增强剂。研究了聚乙烯醇（PVA）/ TMGMV复合膜。发现TMGMV对这些薄膜系统具有类似的增强作用。杆状病毒将来可能会成为水性体系的基础广泛的增强剂。研究了聚乙烯醇（PVA）/ TMGMV复合膜。发现TMGMV对这些薄膜系统具有类似的增强作用。杆状病毒将来可能会成为水性体系的基础广泛的增强剂。