GO-Enabled Bacterial Cellulose Membranes by Multistep, In Situ Loading: Effect of Bacterial Strain and Loading Pattern on Nanocomposite Properties
Tobiasz Gabryś,
Beata Fryczkowska,
Urška Jančič,
Janja Trček,
Selestina Gorgieva
Affiliations
Tobiasz Gabryś
Department of Material Engineering, Faculty of Materials, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bielsko-Biala, ul. Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biala, Poland
Beata Fryczkowska
Department of Environmental Protection and Engineering, Faculty of Materials, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bielsko-Biala, ul. Willowa 2, 43-309 Bielsko-Biala, Poland
Urška Jančič
Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ul. 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Janja Trček
Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška Cesta 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Selestina Gorgieva
Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ul. 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
This paper presents the results of research on the preparation and properties of GO/BC nanocomposite from bacterial cellulose (BC) modified with graphene oxide (GO) using the in situ method. Two bacterial strains were used for the biosynthesis of the BC: Komagataeibacter intermedius LMG 18909 and Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans LMG 18788. A simple biosynthesis method was developed, where GO water dispersion was added to reinforced acetic acid-ethanol (RAE) medium at concentrations of 10 ppm, 25 ppm, and 50 ppm at 24 h and 48 h intervals. As a result, a GO/BC nanocomposite membrane was obtained, characterized by tensile strength greater by 150% as compared with the pure BC (̴ 50 MPa) and lower volume resistivity of ~4 ∙ 109 Ω × cm. Moreover, GO addition increases membrane thickness up to ~10% and affects higher mass production, especially with low GO concentration. All of this may indicate the possibility of using GO/BC membranes in fuel cell applications.
