Bacterial Cellulose-Based Composites: Recent Trends in Production Methods and Applications

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has attracted significant attention due to its distinct structural attributes and remarkable physico-mechanical properties, making it highly popular in biomedical applications, such as artificial skin, blood vessels, tissue scaffolds, and wound dressings. However, its widespread application in a variety of fields is often limited by poor mechanical properties and functional characteristics. The development of BC-based composites by incorporating synthetic materials has been widely investigated to address these limitations. This review paper summarizes the fabrication strategies for BC composites in-situ and ex-situ methods for their development, and highlights their wide range of applications in diverse fields. Various strategies have been designed for the synthesis of BC composite functionalized materials, tailored to the specific nature of their intended application. In the synthesis of BC composites, either in-situ addition of reinforcing materials to the synthetic media or ex-situ incorporation of these materials into the microfilaments of the BC microfilaments is primarily involved. A wide range of materials have been used as reinforced materials, ranging from organic polymers to inorganic nanoparticles. These composite materials have the potential to be used for tissue regeneration, wound healing, enzyme immobilization, and the development of medical devices. Recent years have seen the development of BC composites incorporating conductive materials, being used in the production of various electrical products, such as biocatalysts, enzymes, e-papers, displays, electrical instruments, and optoelectronic devices. In summary, the synthesis of BC composites and their applications offers a path for producing advanced biomaterials with enhanced properties and diverse functionalities, exploring their potential as environmentally friendly and versatile materials applicable across multiple sectors.