Chemical and Physical Modification of Cellulosic Biomaterials
Keywords:
biomaterials, cellulose, chemical modification, physical modification, biofunctionalization, antibacterial properties, silverAbstract
Cellulose-based biomaterials are safe and ordinarily used in human medicine. Owing to its properties, cellulose is still in the biomaterial research spotlight, mainly in wound dressing area. The review brings an overview of chemical and physical means of cellulose modification that have been done so far, particularly to improve material properties and to introduce antibacterial properties. The most frequent antibacterial finishing of cellulose-based materials is the modification with silver that is effective against broad spectrum of bacteria species and has low risk of resistance development. A special subchapter is therefore dedicated to the antibacterial effect of silver.