abstract
In this work, we report a convenient method of grafting non-leachable bioactive amine functions onto the surface of bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibrils, via a simple silylation treatment in water. Two different silylation protocols, involving different solvents and post-treatments were envisaged and compared, using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) and (2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane (AEAPS) as silylating agents. In aqueous and controlled conditions, water-leaching resistant amino functions could be successfully introduced into BC, via a simple freeze-drying process. The silylated material remained highly porous, hygroscopic and displayed sufficient thermal stability to support the sterilization treatments generally required in medical applications. The impact of the silylation treatment on the intrinsic anti-bacterial properties of BC was investigated against the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results obtained after the in vitro studies revealed a significant growth reduction of S. aureus within the material.
keywords
SURFACE FUNCTIONALIZATION; BIOCELLULOSE MEMBRANES; MICROBIAL CELLULOSE; NANOCELLULOSE
subject category
Chemistry; Polymer Science
authors
Chantereau, G; Brown, N; Dourges, MA; Freire, CSR; Silvestre, AJD; Sebe, G; Coma, V
our authors
Armando Jorge Domingues Silvestre
Full professor
Carmen Sofia da Rocha Freire Barros
Coordinating Researcher
Guillaume Alexandre Chantereau
PhD Studentacknowledgements
This work was developed within the scope of the European Joint Doctorate in Functional Materials Research EJD FunMat (Grant agreement ID: 641640) which funded G. Chantereau PhD fellowship. LCPO, CNRS UMR 5629 and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2013) financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement, are also acknowledged. C.S.R. Freire acknowledges FCT for her research contract under Stimulus of Scientific Employment 2017 (CEECIND/00464/2017).