Novel Cu@SiO2/bacterial cellulose nanofibers: Preparation and excellent performance in antibacterial activity.

The antibacterial composite based on bacterial cellulose (BC) was successfully prepared by in-situ synthesis of SiO2 coated Cu nanoparticles (Cu@SiO2/BC) and its properties were characterized. Its chemical structures and morphologies were evaluated by Fourier transformation infrared spectrum (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results demonstrated that the SiO2 coated Cu particles were well homogeneously precipitated on the surface of BC. The Cu@SiO2/BC was more resistant to oxidation than the Cu nanoparticles impregnated into BC (Cu/BC) and then Cu@SiO2/BC could prolong the antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli).