Processing and Properties of Nanofibrous Bacterial Cellulose-Containing Polymer Composites: A Review of Recent Advances for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an extracellular natural polymer produced by many microorganisms and its properties could be tailored via specific fabrication methods and culture conditions. There is a growing interest in BC derived materials due to the main features of BC such as porous fibrous structure, high crystallinity, impressive physico-mechanical properties, and high water content. However, pristine BC lacks some features, limiting its practical use in varied applications. Thus, fabrication of BC composites has been attempted to overcome these constraints. This review article overviews most recent advance in the development of BC composites and their potential in biomedicine including wound dressing, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery. Special emphasis is placed on the fabrication and applications of BC-containing nanofibrous composites for biomedical usage. It summarizes electrospinning of BC-based nanofibers and their surface modification with an outline on challenges and future perspective.

Keywords:

• Polymer matrix composite
• bacterial cellulose
• electrospinning
• nanofibers
• biomedicine

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Mr. Amir Azarniya (Tarbiat Modares University) for useful discussion.

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Simchi thanks funding support from Iran National Science Foundation (INSF No. 95-S-48740) and Sharif University of Technology (Grant Program No. QA970816).