Abstract
The effect of the addition of two [4-butyltrimethylammonium]-xylan chloride polyelectrolytes (BTMAXs) on bacterial cellulose (BC) was evaluated. The first strategy was to add the polyelectrolytes to the culture medium together with a cell suspension of the bacterium. After one week of cultivation, the films were collected and purified. The second approach consisted of obtaining a purified and homogenized BC, to which the polyelectrolytes were added subsequently. The films were characterized in terms of tear and burst indexes, optical properties, surface free energy, static contact angle, Gurley porosity, SEM, X-ray diffraction and AFM. Although there are small differences in mechanical and optical properties between the nanocomposites and control films, the films obtained by BC synthesis in the presence of BTMAXs were remarkably less opaque, rougher, and had a much lower specular gloss. The surface free energy depends on the BTMAXs addition method. The crystallinity of the composites is lower than that of the control material, with a higher reduction of this parameter in the composites obtained by adding the BTMAXs to the culture medium. In view of these results, it can be concluded that BC–BTMAX composites are a promising new material, for example, for paper restoration.
Highlights
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is produced by certain bacterial species
The obtained diffractograms suggest that the addition of butyltrimethylammonium]-xylan chloride polyelectrolytes (BTMAXs) did not alter bacterial cellulose (BC) crystalline morphology in any case, which is consistent with the results obtained by Huang et al [35]
Gurley porosity values were consistently higher than 900 s, which indicates that the closed structure of the BC prevents the air flow through it
Summary
BC consists of elementary fibrils of pure cellulose, free of lignin and hemicellulose, and it is considered a natural nanocellulose [1,2]. These elementary fibrils make up a flat, ribbon like microfibril, which are branched together in the BC films, providing high mechanical strength [3]. BC shows high crystallinity, high water absorption capacity, and high degree of polymerization [4] These properties, along with its biocompatibility, make it an attractive candidate for a big range of applications in various fields, receiving much attention as potential materials associated with biomedical and biotechnology applications [2]. BC composites showed considerably improved properties, leading to additional applications in the medical and other industrial fields [6]
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