Bacterial Cellulose and Its Polymeric Nanocomposites - The Nanoscience and Technology of Renewable Biomaterials - page 266

100 nm 200 nm

(a) (b)

Figure9.32 TEMimagesofPEO/bacterialcellulosewhiskers(0.4wt%)showing(a)alignment
of cellulosewhiskers and (b) entanglement of cellulosewhiskers in electrospun PEOfibers
Park, W.-I.; Kang, M.; Kim, H.-S.; Jin, H.-K., Electrospinning of poly(ethylene oxide) with
bacterial cellulosewhiskers,Macromolecular Symposia, 2007, 249-50, 289-94. Copyright
Wiley-VCHVerlagGmbH&Co.KGaA.Reproducedwithpermission.)

into the PEO nanofiber by TEM indicated that in some cases the nanowhiskers aligned
along the fiber direction whereas aggregation problems were also identified in other cases
(Figure 9.32). As a result of the incorporation of BC whiskers into the PEO matrix, the
mechanical properties of the nanofibers were very significantly enhanced. Young mod-
ulus and extension at break more than doubled with incorporation of BC nanowhiskers.
The nanofiber strength was also significantly improved. Enhancement in mechanical
properties appeared to be proportional to the amount of whiskers incorporated.

9.7 Conclusions and Prospects

This review illustrates the intensification of research and development in the last decade
involving bacterial cellulose nanocomposites. There is no doubt that the growing interest
in bacterial cellulose arises from its unique properties that confer potential in high-tech
applications that are currently in high demand such as that of biomaterials. Besides,
bacterial cellulose is particularly suited for the development of complex materials using
biomimecry approach, another highly active research field. While most of the research
reviewed in this paper has used bacterial cellulose as is, bacterial cellulose has abundant
hydroxyl groups on its surface, conferring the potential for surface derivatization and
functionalization. Compatibilization of bacterial cellulose with a wider range of poly-
mers may be afforded by surface grafting of appropriate functional groups or chains to
yield new nanocomposites. Besides, more complex nanostructured materials might be
developed from bacterial cellulose by functionalizing its surface with molecules such
as proteins or other compounds that display interesting self-assembly properties. In
any case, it is clear from recent developments in the field of BC nanomaterials, that
research and developments will further intensify and new high-value applications for
BC nanocomposites will be developed.