One-dimensional Shrinkage and Swelling of Crosslinked Bacterial Cellulose Gel

This study deals with crosslinked bacterial cellulose (BC) showing unique one-dimensional shrinkage–swelling behaviors. The crosslinked BC was prepared by the solvent exchange of the BC gel from water to acetone, followed by the reaction with methylenediphenyl 4,4′-diisocyanate. The resulting cuboid-shaped crosslinked BC organogel one-dimensionally shrank by drying under vacuum to form the thin sheet. It also one-dimensionally swelled in LiCl/DMAc solution at 25 °C, followed by solvent replacement with water to recover the original shape.