Preparation and Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose/TiO₂Hydrogel Nanocomposite

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer with interesting properties, such as biocompatibility, high tensile strength, high absorption capacity, water retention and high crystallinity. Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) are extremely important in electrical applications, photocatalysis, sensors and biomedical areas. Multifunctional materials, based on bacterial cellulose, with differentiated properties can be designed from the BC/TiO2 nanocomposite by ex situ method of sol-gel immersion. It was manufactured as a nanocomposite consisting of BC/TiO2 hydrogel. Characterizations were carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphological analysis of nanocomposite revealed the existence of molecular interaction and adhesion between TiO2 nanoparticles and cellulosic nanofibers matrix, where the presence of Ti peaks in EDS spectra was discovered, proving the successful incorporation of nanoparticles. The FTIR showed modification on the functional groups, suggesting interaction between the components. The manufacturing of a BC/TiO2 nanocomposite by method of sol-gel immersion has a great potential for future applications.

Bacterial cellulose–assisted synthesis of glass‐ceramic scaffolds with TiO2 crystalline domains

“…One of the most approached biopolymers is biocellulose (BC), a natural polymer composed of chains of (1‐4)‐ d ‐anhydroglucopyranose 6 . Generally, it is produced by various types of microorganisms, often gram‐negative bacteria 7 .…”

“…The compatibility of TiO 2 with BC is effective due to the free hydroxyl groups in cellulose macromolecules that ensure interactions with the oxide 7 . A research group prepared multifunctional composites based on BC and TiO 2 by the ex situ method of sol‐gel immersion, showing a great potential for antibacterial and photocatalytic applications 6 . Khan et al 23 associated BC with TiO 2 nanoparticles and achieved enhanced bactericidal activity due to the reactive oxygen species and membrane stress generated by TiO 2 , as well as impressive cell adhesion and proliferation capabilities as respects animal fibroblast cells.…”

Nanocellulose Hybrids with Metal Oxides Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

“…BC-TiO 2 interactions consist of physical adsorption on the surface of nanofibers or the formation of hydrogen or covalent bonds at the site of free hydroxyl groups in the cellulose macromolecules [ 76 ]. Multifunctional materials, based on BC and TiO 2 nanoparticles were prepared by Brandes et al using an ex situ sol-gel method [ 77 ]. Summarily, BC hydrogels were immersed in an aqueous dispersion of TiO 2 and agitated in an orbital shaker for 3 h at 30 °C, thus allowing the nanoparticles to be retained in the gaps between the cellulosic nanofibers.…”

“…SEM images showed a high density of TiO 2 NPs on the surface of the BC nanofibers. The occurrence of molecular interactions and adhesion between the inorganic NPs and the cellulosic support was confirmed by O-H, C-OH and C-O-C peaks shifting in the FT-IR spectrum [ 77 ].…”

Solvothermal sol–gel synthesis of TiO2-cellulose nanocrystalline composites

“…Cellulose does not absorb in the UV-visible spectral range [Sirvio et al 2016] and cannot screen action spectrum of the photoactive TiO2 component. A very interesting supramolecular structure and multilevel structural organization of this polymer [Farag et al 2017] explains its wide use as a template agent [Ioelovich 2014;Lu et al 2013;Wang et al 2016;Kayaalp et al 2014;Xiao et al 2017;Postnova et al 2015;Zlotski et al 2017;Shevtsova et al 2018;Brandes et al 2016], ensuring an easy structuring of anatase TiO2 particles. The thermal post-treatment performed in the related studies has resulted in a burnout of the organic component with subsequent formation of anatase nanoparticles with the shape and size control, exhibiting photocatalytic activity [Postnova et al 2015].…”