Textile finishing for bacterial cellulose modification: organic acid-catalyzed cellulosic acetylation

Abstract

Bacterial Cellulose (BC) is an originally sustainable material for the textile and leather industries. However, dehydrated BC faces challenges: excessive stiffness, low density, surface defects, high roughness, etc. That reduces appeal in applicability. To address these issues, this study introduces a textile finishing method involving cellulose acetylation catalyzed by organic acids, namely Citric Acid and Succinic Acid. The acetylation-finished BC samples, catalyzed by Citric Acid (BC/AA/CA) and Succinic Acid (BC/AA/SA), exhibit improved softness with bending modulus of 62.65 ± 5.87 and 99.82 ± 25.25 MPa, respectively, as compared to untreated BC (1956.51 ± 426.12 MPa), tensile strength of 15.10 ± 1.42 MPa for BC/AA/CA and 15.02 ± 0.74 MPa for BC/AA/SA, porosity, and significant alterations in thermal stability. The study explores a novel “self-patterning” mechanism during BC acetylation finishing. Consequently, this study addresses the limitations of BC in its dehydrated state and promises practical and valuable scientific contributions toward long-term sustainability.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Acetylation
• bacterial cellulose
• modification
• organic acid
• textile finishing

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Kyoto Institute of Technology (KIT) and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), VNU-HCM for supporting this study. The support of Assoc. Prof. Bui Mai Huong, Dr. Pham Thi Ngoc Chau, Engr. Pham Thi Bich Ngoc, and Engr. Le Thi Hong Nu for testing and equipment is acknowledged.

Author’s contributions

Conceptualization: Hung Ngoc Phan, Satoko Okubayashi; Methodology: Hung Ngoc Phan, Satoko Okubayashi, Thu Thi Nguyen; Formal analysis and investigation: Hung Ngoc Phan, Thu Thi Nguyen; Writing—original draft preparation: Hung Ngoc Phan; Writing—review and editing: Satoko Okubayashi, Hung Ngoc Phan, Thu Thi Nguyen; Supervision: Satoko Okubayashi.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no pertinent financial or non-financial conflicts of interest to report.