Bacterial cellulose-nanoparticulated oxides composites

• Grant number: 10/00680-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2010
• End date: May 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Agreement: NSF - American Universities (Chemistry)
• Principal Investigator: Sidney José Lima Ribeiro
• Grantee: Mariana Zaghete Bertochi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by Acetobacter xylinum displays different properties from plant cellulose mainly due to the nanometric 3d structure. In this project BC will be produced in static culture medium modified by the addition of nanoparticulated silicon and zinc oxide. Modified BC membranes will also be obtained by post-addition of metal ions and growing of oxide phases in the cellulose structure. The composites so obtained will be characterized and physical and chemical properties compared with pure BC membranes. (AU)