Review on the strategies for enhancing mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose

<title>Abstract</title> Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a pure biopolymer with abundant sources. BC has been used in wound dressings, artificial blood vessels, bone tissue engineering, and other applications because of its microporosity, excellent water retention, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. Despite this, the mechanical qualities of dehydrated BC are poor, and its strength and toughness are insufficient for the application. The mechanical properties of BC are influenced by the three-dimensional (3D) nano-network structure, which includes porosity, pore diameter, and the ordered arrangement of fibers, among other factors. Essentially, the quantity and kind of cross-linking in the 3D network play a critical role in improving mechanical characteristics. Selection and modification of production strains, surface chemical modification, physical mixing with reinforcement, and improving the ordered arrangement of fibers are some of the tactics discussed in this review for improving the mechanical properties of BC. Various improvement methods and their effects on mechanical characteristics are addressed.