Preparation of bioleather from bacterial cellulose using water displacement technique with cashew nut shell liquid: effect of sodium hydroxide treatment and linseed oil coating
摘要
Bacterial cellulose demonstrates potential as a sustainable material for bioleather due to its excellent mechanical strength, flexibility, and biodegradability. This study developed a simultaneous water displacement and surface modification of bacterial cellulose using cashew nut shell liquid and evaluated the effect of sodium hydroxide pre-treatment and linseed oil post-treatment. The bacterial cellulose was treated with a 1% sodium hydroxide, immersed in cashew nut shell liquid at 150 °C for water displacement and surface modification, and then coated with linseed oil to improve hydrophobicity. The resulting bioleather was characterized for crystallinity, molecular structure, mechanical properties, water vapor transmission rate, contact angle, and microstructure. Sodium hydroxide treatment reduced the crystallinity and tensile strength of bioleather, while linseed oil increased the water contact angle and decreased water vapor permeability. The bioleather exhibited significantly lower water vapor permeability and higher tensile strength compared to freeze-dried bacterial cellulose. These results suggest that this approach could be an efficient and environmentally friendly method for producing bacterial cellulose-based bioleather.