Preparation and characterization of bacterial cellulose/hydroxypropyl chitosan blend as-spun fibers

In the work, N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate (NMMO·H₂O) was used as a solvent to solve bacterial cellulose (BC) and hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCS) together, and regenerated bacterial cellulose (RBC)/HPCS blend as-spun fibers were prepared by blending BC with HPCS via wet-spinning in the Lyocell process. Structure and properties of the blend as-spun fibers were characterized by different techniques, together with the antibacterial activity of the blend as-spun fibers against Staphylococcus aureus. Results revealed that HPCS was mixed with BC very well. The blend as-spun fibers showed a rough and folded surface morphology and an interior pore structure on the cross-section. Compared with pure RBC as-spun fibers, the blend as-spun fibers had lower degree of crystallinity and thermal stability. Although extension at break of the blend as-spun fibers was lower than the pure RBC as-spun fibers, their tensile strength and modulus had been enhanced obviously. The blend as-spun fibers were also found to exhibit excellent antibacterial activities against S. aureus.