Recent development in bacterial cellulose production and synthesis of cellulose based conductive polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

Compared to plant‐based cellulosic biopolymers, bacterial cellulose (BC) produced from microbial sources demonstrates several unique properties. BC nanocomposites synthesized with the addition of nanofillers with distinct properties have further tailored the BC structure with improved physical and chemical properties. BC nanocomposites with the addition of electrically conductive filler materials, namely, conductive polymers, metallic or carbonaceous nanofillers have advanced the nanocomposites applications and their utilization in the fabrication of various modern electrical and electronic appliances such as biosensors, flexible electronics, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and energy storage. The present review is focused to provide a complete overview of BC production and electrically conductive‐based‐BC nanocomposites at a single platform. Various methodologies used in BC production with varying microbial strains and substrate types used in the fermentation, surface functionalization of BC, and its purification are discussed in detail. Subsequently, the review explains the bacterial cellulose‐based electrical conductive nanocomposites combined with different types of nanofillers such as conductive polymers, metal oxides, and carbon‐based nanofillers for their application in modern electronic devices. The challenges faced during nanocomposites synthesis and methods to improve its electrical conductivity with possible futuristic solutions are also briefly discussed.

Use of Industrial Wastes as Sustainable Nutrient Sources for Bacterial Cellulose (BC) Production: Mechanism, Advances, and Future Perspectives

“…In addition, different cultivation pathways led to the production of BC with different properties and structures [ 22 ]. Figure 10 illustrates the mechanism of bacterial cellulose synthesis from G. oxydans on the surface cell of cellulose [ 188 ].…”

“…The hydroxyl groups in the BC structure have enabled direct modification by introducing other polymers into the BC network [ 189 ]. However, some modifications can be done on BC by combining other materials into the polymeric system for a broader range of applications [ 188 ]. The modification process can be divided into two main groups, which are in situ and ex-situ modifications.…”

“… Representation of cellulose chains formation in microbial cells, and formation of micro- and macro fibrils, bundles, and ribbons [ 188 ]. …”

Reinforcing Poly(methyl methacrylate) with Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers Chemically Modified with Methacryolyl Groups

“…genus in a medium containing D-glucose under static conditions, forms CNFs that are different to pulp-derived CNFs. In general, BC is obtained as a gel-like matrix of ~100 nm-wide cellulose fibrils that are three-dimensionally intertwined and contain large amounts of water [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The use of the swirling culture method during BC synthesis has recently been reported to inhibit fiber formation due to the generation of torque, resulting in a water-dispersed form of BC [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Application of Bacterial Cellulose in the Textile and Shoe Industry: Development of Biocomposites

“…Compared to vegetable cellulose, BC presents unique properties including high crystallinity [3], high specific surface area [4], high water absorption [5] and high mechanical strength [6]. The unique structure and impressive physico-mechanical properties of BC have supported the development of several applications in different areas, such as food packaging [7,8], biomedical [9,10], cosmetics [11], filtration [12,13] and electronic devices [14,15]. BC is also emerging as a potential alternative to conventional woven/leather materials.…”