Nanostructured biocomposites based on bacterial cellulosic nanofibers compartmentalized by a soft hydroxyethylcellulose matrix coating

Biomimetic approaches involving environmentally-friendly synthetic pathways provide an opportunity to elaborate novel high-performance biocomposites. Here we have developed a low-energy biosynthetic system for the production of a high-strength composite material consisting of self-assembled and nanostructured cellulosic nanofibers. This biocomposite is analogous to natural composite materials with high strength and hierarchical organization such as wood or tendon. It was generated by growing the bacterium Acetobacter, which naturally produces cellulosic nanofibers, in the presence of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC). Individual cellulose fibrils were coated by HEC and exhibited a smaller lateral dimension than pure bacterial cellulose (BC) fibrils. They self-assembled to form compartmentalized nanofibers and larger cellulose fibril aggregates compared to pure BC. The tensile strength of nanocomposite films prepared from the compartmentalized cellulosic nanofibers was 20% higher than that of pure BC sheets and wood cellulose nanopapers, and 60% higher than that of conventional BC/HEC blends, while no strain-to-failure decrease was observed. The thin nanoscale coating consisting of hydrated HEC significantly increased the mechanical performance of the nanocomposite films by provoking compartmentalization of individual fibrils.