Development of bacterial cellulose and polycaprolactone (PCL) based composite for medical material

Polycaprolactone (PCL)/bacterial cellulose (BC) composite was successfully prepared via film casting. BC was extracted from nata de coco using alkaline purification. 1%,5%,10%,20%,30% and 50% v/v of BC was incorporated into PCL composite. The structural, morphological, thermal, swelling, and degradation properties were investigated. It was found that the intensity of O–H stretching was observed with respect to amount of BC content. However, with high BC content, the percent of crystallinity was decreased. Porosity was observed as a microstructure of BC/PCL composite. It was remarkable to note that thermal decomposition behavior was stable up to 400 °C. The crystallization temperature was increased, whereas the melting temperature was decreased, when high amount of BC was integrated. No significant change of swelling behavior was observed for DI water and PBS solution when BC was added. The swelling behavior and degradation properties were observed for 6 h and 4 weeks, respectively. Therefore, bacterial cellulose and polycaprolactone based composite can significantly be provide the benefit as an excellent candidate for wound dressing application.