Smart Bacterial Cellulose-Methylacrylated Chitosan Composite Hydrogel: Multifunctional Characterization for Real-Time...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• pH is a critical factor in numerous biochemical and environmental processes.
• Real-time and accurate pH monitoring is vital for health and environmental surveillance.
• Existing pH detection methods may have limitations in speed or application scope.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid and visually responsive pH sensor.
• To utilize a bacterial cellulose and methylacrylated chitosan (BC-MACS) composite hydrogel for pH detection.
• To evaluate the performance of the BC-MACS hydrogel as a pH indicator.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of a bacterial cellulose and methylacrylated chitosan (BC-MACS) composite hydrogel.
• Characterization of the BC-MACS composite using SEM to confirm structural integrity and MACS infiltration.
• Fabrication of a BC-MACS pH sensor by incorporating a pH indicator solution.
• Testing the sensor's response across a pH range of 2-12.

Main Results:

• The integration of methylacrylated chitosan (MACS) into bacterial cellulose (BC) reduced crystallinity while maintaining thermal stability.
• SEM analysis confirmed the successful infiltration of MACS into the BC matrix, preserving its fibrous structure.
• The BC-MACS hydrogel exhibited enhanced swelling behavior and improved mechanical properties compared to pristine BC hydrogel.
• The fabricated BC-MACS pH sensor displayed clear visual color variations corresponding to pH changes from 2 to 12.

Conclusions:

• The BC-MACS composite hydrogel is a promising material for developing rapid pH sensors.
• The developed sensor maintains the biocompatibility of BC while enhancing mechanical properties and swelling capacity.
• The BC-MACS pH sensor offers a visual indication of pH, suitable for diverse applications in health and environmental monitoring.