Electromagnetic nanocomposite of bacterial cellulose using magnetite nanoclusters and polyaniline

Magnetic BC was biosynthesized by culturing Gluconacetobacter xylinus in a medium containing magnetite nanoparticle (MNP) clusters. The stable dispersion of MNP clusters in an aqueous solution was achieved using amphiphilic comb-like polymer (CLP) stabilizers to disperse the MNPs. Subsequently, a conducting polymer was synthesized on the magnetic BC fibers by the chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline. The BC fiber was fully coated with polyaniline, forming hydrogen bonds. The colloidal stability of the CLP-modified MNPs was characterized by optical imaging and UV-visible spectroscopy. The chemical structure and morphology of the hybrid BC layers were observed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Magnetic and conductive properties were measured to confirm the immobilization of MNPs and polyaniline. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.