Abstract:
Quaternized cellulose (QC) has been prepared by treating cellulose derived from de-starch cassava pulp with glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (GTMAC) under semi-dry process at various GTMAC-to-anhydroglucose unit (AGU) molar ratios, ranging from 1 to 3. The QC at various GTMAC contents were then characterized to provide an optimal content of GTMAC at QC [2:1]. The optimal QC suspension introduced antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and negative bacteria. The QC aqueous suspension was further mechanical treated by passing through a microfluidizer to obtain optical transparent gel-like aqueous suspension of quaternized cellulose nanofibrils (QCNF). For specific use in biomedical applications, QC powder, QC and QCNF suspension were incorporated into polylactide (PLA) via various techniques, producing microparticles and nanofibers. Microparticles were successfully generated by a phase inversion emulsification (PIE) method and then passing through a microfluidizer. PLA nanofiber composites incorporated with QC and QCNF were produced by blend electrospinning of PLA/QC, and coaxial electrospinning of PLA/QCNF
Thammasat University. Thammasat University Library