Preliminary research on structure and properties of nano-cellulose

The structure of bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by Acetobacter xylinum NUST4 (A.xylinum NUST4) under static (SBC) and shake culture condition (ABC) was studied by means of transmission electron microscopic (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform-infrared spectrum (FT-IR). It was revealed that BC is I crystal cellulose and the proportion of cellulose I-alpha exceed 80% and BC diameter is 10-80 nm. Mechanical properties and water absorption capacity were also determined. These properties could result from crystalline and nanometer structure of BC.