Effect of Cellulose Microfiber Silylation Procedures on the Properties and Antibacterial Activity of Polydimethylsiloxane

Abstract

In this study, the liquid phase and vapor phase procedures for silylating cellulose microfibers by hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) were compared in terms of efficiency. The influence of functionalization degree on the morphology of microfibers and their interaction with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix has been investigated. The antibacterial properties of silylated cellulose microfibers hybridized with Ag nanoparticles, obtained by in situ chemical reduction, were also studied. Sample morphology investigations were carried out using spectroscopy and microscopy techniques (FTIR, XPS, TEM, SEM, EDS, XPS). Trimethylsilyl moieties appear on the surface of the cellulose microfibers after modification and improve the dispersibility of the microfibers, allowing strong interaction with the PDMS matrix and favoring its crosslinking density. Microfibers functionalized by the vapor phase of HMDS show smoother surfaces with higher concentrations of Si-containing groups, resulting in a more hydrophobic wetting behavior and a greater influence on the mechanical properties of the polymer. The silylated cellulose microfiber–Ag nanohybrid shows stronger antimicrobial activity towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains compared to that of the untreated hybrid. A PDMS composite loaded with this hybrid exhibits the ability to inhibit bacterial growth.

Inherently Conductive Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Elastomers Synergistically Mediated by Nanocellulose/Carbon Nanotube Nanohybrids toward Highly Sensitive, Stretchable, and Durable Strain Sensors

“…When the CNT content was increased to 7.5 wt %, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of SCNC-CNT/PDMS reached up to the maximum values of 5.72 ± 0.32 and 4.14 ± 0.35 MPa, which were 1.2 and 2.5 times higher than those of PDMS, respectively. Such high tensile strength was superior to most PDMS-based composites previously reported, e.g., silylated nanofibrillated cellulose reinforced poly­(dimethylsiloxane) (∼4.1 MPa), silylated cellulose microfiber reinforced poly­(dimethylsiloxane) (∼0.85 MPa), poly­(dimethylsiloxane) composite with cellulose sponge (∼1.3 MPa), and microhoneycomb cellulose nanofiber–carbon nanotube aerogel reinforced poly­(dimethylsiloxane) (∼3.4 MPa) . However, further increasing the CNT content led to a decrease in the mechanical strength.…”

Transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes using cellulose filter paper-supported Pd/C by filtration as well as sealed methods

“…(2) In the second protocol, a simple chemical vapor deposition was performed according to a previously reported protocol with some modifications. 47 This method was used to expose CFP to the CPTES vapor in the absence of any catalyst at an elevated temperature. 25 mL of CPTES was added to a closed chamber bearing an open vessel holding the CPTES.…”

Waste Natural Polymers as Potential Fillers for Biodegradable Latex-Based Composites: A Review

“…A comparison is made between two different methods of silylation using vapor technique and liquid technique [ 58 ]. The vapor technique is conducted by introducing the cellulose fiber with hexamethyldisilazane (HDMS) under the chemical vapor condition, while the liquid technique is conducted by soaking the CF in HDMS liquid.…”