STUDY OF FABRICATION MICROFIBRILLATED BACTERIAL CELLULOSE FOR EPOXY MATRIX COMPOSITE APPLICATION

Abstract

This study focused on the fabrication microfibrillated bacterial cellulose nanofibers (BC) by Acetobacter xylinum bacteria and followed by evaluating the influence of BC content on the mechanical properties of composite materials. Microfibrillated cellulose was formed by breeding and culturing the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum and was purified by the alkaline treatment. Then, they were applied to reinforce for epoxy matrix composite. BC samples were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate morphology, homogeneousness and size of BC. Composite specimens were measured tensile and flexural strength corresponding with alternative nanofibers/epoxy ratio as 0.5%, 1% and 2%. The results showed that BC was synthesized successfully by Acetobacter xylinum bacteria. The optimal fibers/epoxy ratio is 1% (wt/wt) because of effective curing and good mechanical properties.