Alteration of Bacterial Cellulose Properties by Diacetylglycerol

Bacterial cellulose (BC) was altered by means of 0.5-2.5% w/v diacetylglycerol in acetone-water through impregnation process provided DGBC composites. Results from the scanning electron microscope images, revealed that diacetylglycerol filled the pores of BC, leads to the significant enhanced in hydrophilicity and caused a smoother BC morphology. The addition of diacetylglycerol into BC caused a slightly changed in crystallinity indexes and bring about the reduction in tensile strength and Young's modulus but increased in elongation at break and toughness. The significant reduction of tensile strength and Young's modulus was achieved for DGBC 2.5% as well as for elongation at break and hydrophylicity improvement. Through the impregnation method, diacetylglycerol serves as biodegrada–ble and safe plasticizer, resulted in less rigid and higher ductility DGBC composites.