Methionine-Containing Poly(amino acid) Hybrid Fibers via Self-Assembly at Aqueous Interface

Using sulfonium groups to create a novel fiber material, methionine‐containing hybrid fibers were prepared from S‐methylated poly(L‐methionine) and poly(L‐lysine, L‐methionine) solutions with gellan solution by polyion complex (PIC) formation via self‐assembly at the aqueous interface. The breaking strain of the PIC fibers were increased by incorporation of methionine residues into the poly(L‐lysine). These findings may provide a new approach for preparing a wool‐like fiber in aqueous media using the synthetic water‐soluble methionine‐containing poly(amino acid)s. SEM image of Met‐containing PIC fiber: (a) poly[Met19Met(SMe)81]‐gellan fiber (magnification, ×500).