Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystal as a multi-functional agent

Scientific achievement

An efficient synthesis route of AgNPs through the reaction of dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystal

(DACNC) and silver nitrate solution, has been successfully developed. DACNC was used as both the reducing and stabilizing agent in the reaction, and CNC–AgNPs composite was fabricated. The formation of AgNPs was evidenced by the surface plasmon resonance peak at around 400 nm. Nanospherical AgNPs with sizes from 2 to 30 nm were obtained. The synthesized AgNPs showed high antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. When the CNC–AgNPs was added to the OCC pulp slurry, the obtained handsheets also isplayed strong antibacterial activities with increased strength properties and reduced air permeability, suggesting the CNC–AgNPs composites application potential in food packaging materials.

Research details

In this current work, we proposed an efficient synthesis route of AgNPs. Firstly, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), extracted from fully bleached kraft pulp by sulfuric acid hydrolysis, were oxidized using periodate to obtain dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystal (DACNC). DACNC was then used as both the reductant and stabilizer for the preparation of CNC-AgNPs composite, and thus the AgNPs were well dispersed and stably bound to the cellulose nanocrystal surfaces. The CNC-AgNPs was added into the pulp slurry to produce antibacterial paper, and the mechanical, barrier and antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli were investigated.

DOI 10.1007/s12010-017-2442-3