Iran produces cellulose nanofibers with antibacterial

Iranian researchers at Islamic Azad University, the Southern Tehran Branch, succeeded in the production of fibers with high thermal resistance, antibacterial and anti-flame properties that are also able to absorb electromagnetic waves. Among the main properties of the fibers, mention can be made of its application in a wide range of industrial purposes such as textile, medical, and military fields. The production of antibacterial fiber is one of the results of this research. Nanotubes are required to have direct contact with the cellular wall of the bacteria in order to stop their functionality. Results show that the product destroys 99.99% of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Farbod Alimohammadi, one of the research group members, pointed to other results of the research, and stated, "The fibers are also able to absorb electromagnetic waves. The product, in the other hand, is conductive. These fibers are known as intelligent fibers in textile industry. Conductive polymers were previously used in coating processes or metallic fibers were used to produce conductive fibers, which caused various problems. Therefore, this product can be used in electronics industry too." According to the results published by these researchers, the produced fibers have desirable thermal resistant and anti-flame properties. The cellulose LOI percentage has increased from 17.4% to 23.8% in this product. Cellulose is highly inflammable and it has very low thermal resistant in high temperature. The product has been patented in the country and it has acquired the certificate from Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology. The product has also been filed in US-patent with the support of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council. Results of the research have been published in July 2012 in Progress in Organic Coatings, vol. 74, issue 3, pp. 470-478, and also on the website of Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, which will be published soon. The research has been filed and published in US-patent under the registration number US20110171413A1.