Antimicrobial bacterial cellulose nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate

Abstract

tAntimicrobial bacterial cellulose/poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate) (BC/PAEM) nanocomposites wereprepared by in situ radical polymerization of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate, using variable amounts of N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA) as cross-linker. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized interms of their structure, morphology, thermal stability, mechanical properties and antibacterial activ-ity. The ensuing composite membranes were significantly more transparent than those of pure BC andshowed improved thermal and mechanical properties. The antibacterial activity of the obtained nanocom-posites was assessed towards a recombinant bioluminescent Escherichia coli and only the non-crosslinkednanocomposite (BC/PAEM) proved to have antibacterial activity.