Significant increases in the dielectric properties of Zn²⁺-modified porous clay and bacterial cellulose composite sheets

Zn²⁺-modified porous clay and bacterial cellulose composite sheets were successfully prepared. Porous clay was synthesized by reacting with cetrimonium chloride through a surfactant template method. Zn²⁺ (3, 5 and 10 wt%) was chemically modified on the surface of the porous clay. No significant change in structural properties was observed by FTIR and XRD analysis. The zeta potential was between − 20 to − 25 mV. The specific surface area, pore volume and pore size were 380–450 m²/g, 0.25–03 cm³/g and 5.5–6 nm, respectively. Next, the Zn²⁺-modified porous clay was embedded into a bacterial cellulose sheet. Zn²⁺ existed on the surface and inside the bacterial cellulose sheet and was uniformly distributed, as observed by EDX. Significant increases in dielectric properties were reported when the Zn²⁺-modified porous clay was integrated into the bacterial cellulose composite. Remarkably, the composite demonstrated outstanding properties as a dielectric material.