Functional cellulose-based nanofibers with catalytic activity: effect of Ag content and Ag phase

Int J Biol Macromol. 2014 Jun:67:394-400. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.03.052. Epub 2014 Apr 3.

Abstract

The cellulose acetate nanofibers containing Ag ions [CA(as-spun)] were fabricated by electrospinning a CA solution with 0-5wt% AgNO3. The CA(as-spun) was UV-irradiated to produce CA nanofibers containing Ag ions/nanopaticles (NPs) [CA(UV)], and the CA(UV) was deacetylated to cellulose nanofibers with Ag NPs [CA(UV+DA)]. When the CA(UV) was deacetylated with KOH/ethanol solution, the number and size of the Ag NPs were further increased. During the deacetylation reaction, residual Ag(+) ions in the CA(UV) seemed to be reduced by hydroxide anions in KOH/ethanol solution and Ag NPs seemed to be diffused and aggregated further in the cellulose nanofibers. The catalytic activity of cellulose-based nanofibers with different Ag contents or phases was investigated using a reduction of methylene blue (MB) as a model reaction. From a model reaction, Ag ions played an important role as a reducing catalyst of MB.

Keywords: Catalytic activity; Cellulose nanofibers; Silver nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Cellulose / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cellulose / chemistry
  • Diffusion
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Silver / chemistry*
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • acetylcellulose
  • Silver
  • Cellulose