Cellulose synthesized by Acetobacter xylinum in the presence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
The structure of bacterial cellulose is affected by the bacterial strain used, culture media and cultivation conditions. In this study, acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were added into a static culture medium and their effect on bacterial cellulose structure was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), CP/MAS (13)C NMR and X-ray diffractometry. The bacterial cellulose ribbons and the MWNTs interwound and formed a three-dimensional network architecture. Band-like assemblies with sharp bends and rigidity were also produced in the presence of MWNTs. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds in bacterial cellulose produced in the presence of MWNTs were weakened. The crystal structure, cellulose I(alpha) content, crystallinity index (CrI) and crystallite size all changed. The results may suggest that the acid-treated MWNTs containing hydroxyl groups interact with the sub-elementary bacterial cellulose fibrils, subsequently interfering with the aggregation and crystallization.
Yan
Zhiyong
Z
State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, PR China.
Chen
Shiyan
S
Wang
Huaping
H
Wang
Biao
B
Wang
Chaosheng
C
Jiang
Jianming
J
D002236:Carbohydrate Conformation; D002482:Cellulose / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D003470:Culture Media; D041822:Gluconacetobacter xylinus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008853:Microscopy; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D003470:Culture Media; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D002482:Cellulose