Recent development in bacterial cellulose production and synthesis of cellulose based conductive polymer nanocomposites

Compared to plant-based cellulosic biopolymers, bacterial cellulose (BC) produced from microbial sources demonstrates several unique properties. BC nanocomposites synthesized with the addition of nanofillers with distinct properties have further tailored the BC structure with improved physical and chemical properties. BC nanocomposites with the addition of electrically conductive filler materials, namely, conductive polymers, metallic or carbonaceous nanofillers have advanced the nanocomposites applications and their utilization in the fabrication of various modern electrical and electronic appliances such as biosensors, flexible electronics, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and energy storage. The present review is focused to provide a complete overview of BC production and electrically conductive-based-BC nanocomposites at a single platform. Various methodologies used in BC production with varying microbial strains and substrate types used in the fermentation, surface functionalization of BC, and its purification are discussed in detail. Subsequently, the review explains the bacterial cellulose-based electrical conductive nanocomposites combined with different types of nanofillers such as conductive polymers, metal oxides, and carbon-based nanofillers for their application in modern electronic devices. The challenges faced during nanocomposites synthesis and methods to improve its electrical conductivity with possible futuristic solutions are also briefly discussed.