Effects of the modification of bacterial cellulose as a template for the in situ enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of catechol

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effects of the modification of bacterial cellulose used as a template on the in situ polymerization of catechol by laccase. The bacterial cellulose was modified by sulfonation and the entrapment of carboxymethyl cellulose. The catechol polymerization was optimized at a pH of 5.5, catechol concentration of 50 mM, and synthesis time of 24 h. After the in situ polymerization, conductive and colored bacterial cellulose composites were obtained. The bacterial cellulose composites containing oligomers/polymers were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and color strength measurements, and the conductivity of the bacterial cellulose composites was evaluated using a four-probe method. The results revealed that the modification of bacterial cellulose as a template for catechol oxidation resulted in the production of fibers with enhanced coloration and conductive properties owing to the presence of the enzymatically-obtained polymers. The results suggest the promising potential of both sulfonated bacterial cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose-bacterial cellulose as templates for the formation of other functional polymers and composite materials.