Synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles have attracted considerable interests due to their versatile catalytic properties for a wide range of chemical reactions. Specifically, palladium nanoparicle (Pd-NP) is one of the most widely used catalysts for cross-coupling, hydrogenation, dye reduction reactions etc. In this study, a reagentless method was reported for synthesizing Pd-NPs supported on cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). CNFs played a multiple role as a supporting matrix, capping and reducing agent. Stable Pd-NPs of 10-20 nm in diameter were successfully obtained by simply mixing the CNFs with an optimized concentration of the palladium precursor solution and heating the aqueous mixture to 90 <sup>o</sup>C for 1h. The CNF/Pd-NP hybrid materials could self-assemble to porous aerogel by a freeze-drying process. The resulting CNF/Pd-NP aerogels were further characterized by X-ray diffractions (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and then tested to catalyze the degradation of Congo red (CR) and methylene blue (MB). The catalytic results indicate that within 20 min, CR and MB solutions with an initial concentration of 30 mg/L can be reduced to colorless forms. In addition, the CNF/Pd-NP aerogels showed reusability for multiple cycles without deterioration of catalytic activity, demonstrating great potential for applications in water purification and other catalytic systems.<br/>

Green synthesis of nanocellulose aerogels decorated with palladium nanoparticles and their application in water purification

255th National Meeting (2018)

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