J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2020, Vol. 41: 168-177.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2019.11.003

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Ultrafast synthesis of gold nanoparticles on cellulose nanocrystals via microwave irradiation and their dyes-degradation catalytic activity

Madhusudhan Allea, Seung-Hwan Leeb, Jin-Chul Kimc*()   

  1. aInstitute of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
    bDepartment of Forest Biomaterials Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
    cDepartment of Medical Biomaterials Engineering, College of Biomedical Science and Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, 192-1, Hyoja 2 dong, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do 200-701, Republic of Korea
  • Received:2019-07-01 Revised:2019-08-12 Accepted:2019-08-28 Published:2020-03-15 Online:2020-04-10
  • Contact: Kim Jin-Chul

Abstract:

This study represents a well-dispersed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesis process via cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) which acts as both reducing and supporting agent. The synthesis process was ultrafast and completed in a few seconds using microwave irradiation. The entire synthesis process was cost-effective, sustainable and eco-friendly. The synthesized (AuNPs/CNC) nanocomposite was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, and UV-vis spectroscopy. The obtained AuNPs were well accumulated on the CNC surface and had a uniform spherical shape with an average diameter of 8 ± 5.3 nm. The diameter of AuNPs could be altered by tuning the concentration of CNC suspension. The synthesized AuNPs/CNC nanocomposite film exhibited excellent degradation properties against various organic dyes, namely, Allura red, Congo red, Rhodamine B and Amaranth. The ultrafast degradation reactions followed pseudo first order kinetics. In the catalytic degradation reaction, AuNPs/CNC was transmitting electrons from a donor (NaBH4) to an acceptor (a dye).

Key words: Cellulose nanocrystals, Gold nanoparticles, Microwave synthesis, Catalytic degradation of dyes