Due to its unique and well defined physical-chemical properties, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) have been used to mediate silver nanoparticles synthesis, which depend on CNC surface chemistry. Sodium borohydride was used to reduce precursor Ag ions and the effect of hydroxyl, sulfate half-ester and carboxyl groups on the nucleation and size distribution of AgNPs was investigated by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Sulfuric acid hydrolysis followed by NaOH treatment was carried out to prepare sulfated CNC and hydrochloric acid hydrolyzed followed by TEMPO oxidation was allowed the production of carboxylate CNC. The rate of silver nanoparticle formation was found to be inversely related to sulfate and carboxyl content of CNC. Overall, the anionic charges were found to be responsible for AgNP stability and better size distribution while the hydroxyl groups were responsible for the nucleation-controlling ability of CNC. The figure below shows representative TEM images comparing the best size distribution obtained using pristine CNC, partially desulfonated CNC and TEMPO Oxidized CNC. These detailed studies shed light on mechanistic aspects including nucleation control, nanoparticle size growth and stabilizing properties of CNC.

Silver nanoparticles synthesis mediated by cellulose nanocrystals:<br />
Role of surface chemistry in nucleation phenomena

249th National Meeting (2015)

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Silver nanoparticles synthesis mediated by cellulose nanocrystals:<br /> Role of surface chemistry in nucleation phenomena