Effect of growth times on the physical and mechanical properties of hydrophobic and oleophilic silylated bacterial cellulose membranes

Bacterial cellulose is an extracellular natural byproduct of the metabolism of various bacteria. Its physical and mechanical properties were determined by growth period, method of cultivation either static or agitate, fermentation condition and medium. Thispaper presented works done on the effect of culture time on the physical and mechanical properties of silylated bacteria cellulose membranes. Bacterial cellulose (BC) growth under 4, 5, 6 and 7 days had been used as a natural reinforcement material and silane as a hydrophobic coating material. With extended culture time, the tensile strength and tensile modulus were increased linearly as result of more compact structure. Due to hydrophobic properties of silane, the water absorption and thickness swelling improved correspondingly. Contact angle testingusing three different liquid proven the functionality of silane as hydrophobic and oleophilic coating agent. The experimental results suggested that hydropobicand oleophilicsilylatedbacteria cellulose membranes with controlled growth time could be prepared and regarded as a reusable oil spills membrane.