Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer gel based on pure cellulose produced by the bacteria Acetobacter xylinum. BC gels have a nano-sized three-dimensional network structure with fibers ranging from 25−100 nm. BC has a variety of applications in biomedical fields, cosmetics, and food applications because is translucent, bio-compatibility, and has water-retention ability. BC network is also strong and stiff (Young’s modulus of ∼12 GPa and tensile strength of ∼110 MPa), and therefore has been used as a renewable reinforcing agent for nanocomposites. Its nanofiber structure will allow the use of BC in applications such as optically transparent flexible films or as reinforcement/functional additive for transparent polymers as PMMA or PLA. The toughness of BC films needs to be improved if the last mentioned application are of interest. In the present study, plasticized BC films with remarkably high toughness were prepared by immersing wet BC pellicle in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) followed by drying process. PEG of 200 and 400 molecular weight were used and two different drying process were evaluated. Thermal gravimetric analysis results showed that plasticized BC contained between 25-30 wt.% PEG. Scan electron microscopy (HR-SEM) was used to analyze the effect of the PEG and dry process on the morphology of the BC pellicle. The toughness of the BC, calculated as the area under the stress-strain curve, was increased from 3 KJ/m3 to 8 and 12 KJ/m3 for the plasticized BC with PEG200 and PEG400, respectively. Results also showed that PMMA composites prepared with plasticized BC exhibit higher Charpy impact strength than neat PMMA and composites prepared with neat BC.

Tough bacterial cellulose films for transparent composite applications

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.