Synthesis and Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose/Nano-Graphite Nanocomposite Membranes

A bacterial cellulose (BC)/nano-graphite nanocomposite membrane has been synthesized by impregnating nano-graphite into the BC membrane. Microscopic measurements show that nano-graphite flakes are evenly distributed in the BC matrix, and the thickness size of a nano-graphite is around 28 nm. In addition, X-ray measurements showed that the best average size of nano-graphite crystallites in the BC matrix is 33.4 nm. Nano-graphite flakes entered the membrane pores and are trapped between the nano fibrils of cellulose. This process is assisted by an ultrasonic process (contact time). For each concentration of nano-graphite or graphite solution, mass of the nanocomposite membrane containing nano-graphite is greater than that containing graphite. The mass is increased with increasing contact time between nano-graphite solutions and BC membranes. The increasing mass indicated the increase in the carbon content which is shown by energy dispersive spectroscopy data. Conductivity of the nanocomposite membrane, in consequence, is significantly increased with the increasing concentration of nanographite solution. For contact time of 24 h, the conductivity is 1.74 S cm(-1).