Abstract
Cellulose is the most common natural polymer worldwide. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is secreted by a few strains of bacteria and consists of a cellulose nanofiber network with unique characteristics. Because of its excellent physical and mechanical properties, including its insolubility, rapid biodegradability, tensile strength, elasticity, durability, high water absorption capacity, better adherence, nontoxic and nonallergenic features, make BC ideal for the design of several functional products with high added value, extending therefore their use to a wide range of highly sophisticated applications, including antibacterial effects; optical, electrical, and magnetic properties and catalytic and biomedical activities, as sensors, photocatalytic nanomaterials, optoelectronic materials and devices, and magnetically responsive membranes.In this context, the purpose of this project is the production of the high performance bacterial cellulose membranes (BCM) with functional properties, namely, easy-cleaning, photocatalytic/self-cleaning, antimicrobial and luminescent properties and Natural-based colored cellulose membrane. BCM will be prepared and functionalized with covalently bonded organic groups containing several properties and this will be performed following two different methodologies: in situ and post-grafting.
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