Biosynthesized Bacterial Cellulose (BC) Composites; Chemical and Mechanical Characterization

Abstract

A new method for crosslinking for Bacterial Cellulose (BC) and Chitosan (CS) hydrogels using Triethyl orthoformate (TEOF) has been developed, resulting in improved mechanical strength cytocompatibility, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural integrity. Comprehensive characterizations using FTIR, FESEM, DMA and WCA confirmed the formation and stability of the proposed crosslinked network. The hydrogel, with a 40/60% BC/CS resulted in more porous, sponge-like morphology, have potential biomedical applications, particularly in wound dressings and skin tissue engineering.