CELL 226 |
| Bacterial cellulose has recently been the focus of renewed research interest due to its potential in biomedical applications. A possible way to engineer the properties of bacterial cellulose is to develop composite materials. In this work, the biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose is integrated with the mixing in a matrix by simple modification of the growth medium. This biosynthesis method is utilized with a view to tailoring the composition, morphology and properties of the resulting nanocomposites. In particular the method has been used to prepare cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)nanocomposites. The chemistry and morphology of bacterial cellulose/PVA nanocomposites thereby synthesized will be presented. It will further be shown that by manipulating the chemistry and morphology of these nanocomposites, some materials properties may be tailored. |
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Biobased Nanocomposites and Nanotechnology
8:00 AM-12:15 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. R09, Oral
Division of Cellulose & Renewable Materials |