Optically transparent membrane based on bacterial cellulose/ polycaprolactone

• Autor(a) principal: Barud, H. S. [UNESP]
• Data de Publicação: 2013
• Outros Autores: Ribeiro, Sidney José Lima [UNESP], Carone, C. L P, Ligabue, R., Einloft, Sandra, Queiroz, P. V S, Borges, A. P B, Jahno, V. D.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
• Texto Completo: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-14282013005000018; http://hdl.handle.net/11449/75381
• topic: Bacterial cellulose; Polycaprolactone; Transparent membrane; Acetone solution; Biodegradable food packaging; Optically transparent membranes; Visible light; XRD; Acetone; Cellulose; Mechanical properties; Plasticizers; Transparency; Membranes

Optically transparent membranes from bacterial cellulose (BC)/polycaprolactone (PCL) have been prepared by impregnation of PCL acetone solution into dried BC membranes. UV-Vis measurements showed an increase on transparency in BC/PCL membrane when compared with pristine BC. The good transparency of the BC/PCL can be related to the presence of BC nanofibers associated with deposit of PCL nano-sized spherulites which are smaller than the wavelength of visible light and practically free of light scattering. XRD results show that cellulose type I structure is preserved inside the BC/PCL membrane, while the mechanical properties suggested indicated that PCL acts as a plasticizer for the BC membrane. The novel BC/PCL membrane could be used for preparation of fully biocompatible flexible display and biodegradable food packaging.