Bacterial cellulose modification using static magnetic field

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has known as a cellulose material produced by bacteria, which is characterized by its purity, high porosity and randomly cellulose fibrils network arrangement. Static magnetic field (SMF) is a promising method, which can be used to modify the structure of BC. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an SMF on the morphology and the physical and chemical properties of BC by varying the intensity of the SMF (45 mT, 110 mT and 140 mT) through the culture medium. The results showed that the SMF did not disturb the cellulose production yield of the BC. Changes between SMF-modified and conventional BC were shown on the side-section perpendicular and parallel to SMF. The porous structure of SMF-modified BC recorded under Scanning Electron Microscopy was more aligned. The changes of cellulose fibrils arrangement and porous structure resulted in the increase of mechanical property of the SMF modified BC. Feature characteristic of high porosity and crystallinity of BC maintained under an SMF. This study suggested a novel method to modify BC by the use of an SMF.