Synthesis, Preparation and Characterization of Amine-Induced Bacterial Cellulose-Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Semi-Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) was synthesized using Gluconacetobacter xylinus (BCRC 14182). Synthesized BC was powdered and dissolved in Bis(ethylenediamine) copper (II) hydroxide (Cuen) solution to introduce the amine (NH2) group onto the BC network to yield modified BC (mBC) which was then blended with poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and subsequently crosslinked with genipin (Gp). Pristine, modified and crosslinked hydrogels were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and swelling behavior in water. FTIR revealed a distortion on the BC network chain via a reduction in the absorption of OH peak of mBC and the emergence of peaks at 1587 and 1560 cm-1 attributed to N-H stretching of the induced NH2 group. SEM confirmed the 3-D fibril and porous structure of BC which became distorted after modification and crosslinking. The hydrogels showed equilibrium water content of 86.5%, 67.5%, 66.7% and 33.0 % for BC, PVA, mBC-PVA and mBC-PVA-Gp, respectively. The decreased swelling in mBC-PVA-Gp indicated that genipin was able to crosslink the modified BC.