Abstract
Self-assembling fabrication methodology has recently attracted attention for the production of bio-degradable polymer nanocomposites. In this research work, bacterial cellulose/electrospun nanofiber hybrid mats (BC/CA-ENM) were formed by incorporating cellulose acetate electrospun nanofiber membranes (CA-ENMs) in the fermentation media, followed by in situ self-assembly of bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers. ENMs exhibit excessive hydrophobicity, attributed to their high crystallinity and reorientation of hydrophobic groups at the air/solid interfaces. We aimed to improve the hydrophilic and other functional properties of ENMs. As-prepared nanohybrid structures were characterized using SEM and FTIR. SEM results revealed that in situ self-assembling of BC nanofibers onto the electrospun membrane’s surface and penetration into pores gradually increased with extended fermentation periods. The surface hydrophilicity and water absorption capacity of as-prepared hybrid mats was also tested and analyzed. Hybrid mats were observably more hydrophilic than an electrospun membrane and more hydrophobic compared to BC films. In addition, the incorporation of CA electrospun membranes in the culture media as a foundation for BC nanofiber growth resulted in improved tensile strength of the hybrid nanocomposites compared to ENMs. Overall, the results indicated the successful fabrication of nanocomposites through a novel approach, with samples demonstrating improved functional properties.
Highlights
Composite materials are normally obtained by combining polymers, fibers, and fillers, and usually, present better mechanical properties than the components alone
Cellulose acetate (CA) is a known ecofriendly and biodegradable regenerated cellulose material that can be fabricated as a semipermeable membrane, as well as fibers and films for textile, biomedical, and other applications [4,5]
It is secreted by Acetobacter xylinum through a hierarchical cell-directed self-assembly process and is known to be a sustainable and Polymers 2018, 10, 712; doi:10.3390/polym10070712
Summary
Composite materials are normally obtained by combining polymers, fibers, and fillers, and usually, present better mechanical properties than the components alone. Cellulose acetate (CA) is a known ecofriendly and biodegradable regenerated cellulose material that can be fabricated as a semipermeable membrane, as well as fibers and films for textile, biomedical, and other applications [4,5]. BC is one of the strongest nanofibrous extracellular biodegradable polymer materials produced by nature, possessing high modulus and strength, estimated to be 114 GPa and in excess of 1500 MPa, respectively [6]. It is secreted by Acetobacter xylinum through a hierarchical cell-directed self-assembly process and is known to be a sustainable and Polymers 2018, 10, 712; doi:10.3390/polym10070712 www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers. Unlike cellulose from plants, bacterial cellulose (BC) is chemically pure and free of lignin and hemicellulose, with fiber diameters ranging between
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