Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization of Cellulose/Silver Nanocomposites Prepared by Vegetable Oil-Based Microemulsion Method and Their Catalytic Performance to 4-Nitrophenol Reduction

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Journal of Polymers and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this work, Cellulose/silver nanocomposites were synthesized through a double vegetable oil-based microemulsion method. Ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim]Ac) or water was used as the polar phase to prepare [Emim]Ac (water) /Triton X-100 + n-butanol/castor oil microemulsions, respectively. The structure of the microemulsions was investigated by the pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and dynamic light scanning data. The microstructure, morphological characteristics, size, thermal stability, and catalytic performance of the as-prepared cellulose/silver nanocomposites were characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV–Visible spectrophotometry. Results revealed that the spherical silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) dispersed homogeneously on the surface of cellulose regenerated from ionic liquid, and the average size of Ag NPs in the nanocomposites could be adjusted by controlling the AgNO3 concentration and the molar ratio of total polar phase to surfactant. The catalytic activity of cellulose/silver nanocomposites were examined by reducing 4-Nitrophenol to 4-Aminophenol and they displayed much higher activities than the unsupported Ag NPs. This approach is effective for the production of cellulose-supported metal nanoparticles, which offers promise in heterogeneous catalysis.

Graphic Abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Klemm D, Heublein B, Fink HP, Bohn A (2005) Cellulose: fascinating biopolymer and sustainable raw material. Angew Chem Int Edit 44:3358–3393

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Swatloski RP, Spear SK, Holbrey JD, Rogers RD (2002) Dissolution of cellose with ionic liquids. J Am Chem Soc 124:4974–4975

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Cao YJ, Zhang RB, Cheng T, Guo J, Xian M, Liu HZ (2017) Imidazolium-based ionic liquids for cellulose pretreatment: recent progresses and future perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biot 101:521–532

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Sun N, Rahman M, Qin Y, Maxim ML, Rodriguez H, Rogers RD (2009) Complete dissolution and partial delignification of wood in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate. Green Chem 11:646–655

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang S, Lu A, Zhang LN (2016) Recent advances in regenerated cellulose materials. Prog Polym Sci 53:169–206

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Tran QH, Nguyen VQ, Le AT (2013) Silver nanoparticles: synthesis, properties, toxicology, applications and perspectives. Adv Nat Sci 4(3):033001

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ghanbari N, Hoseini SJ, Bahrami M (2017) Ultrasonic assisted synthesis of palladium-nickel/iron oxide core-shell nanoalloys as effective catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura and p-nitrophenol reduction reactions. Ultrason Sonochem 39:467–477

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. He J, Kunitake T, Watanabe T (2005) Porous and nonporous Ag nanostructures fabricated using cellulose fiber as a template. Chem Commun 6:795–796

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ferraria AM, Boufi S, Battaglini N et al (2010) Hybrid systems of silver nanoparticles generated on cellulose surfaces. Langmuir 26(3):199–2001

    Google Scholar 

  10. Li SM, Jia N, Zhu JF (2011) Rapid microwave-assisted preparation and characterization of cellulose-silver nanocomposites. Carbohyd Polym 83:422–429

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Dong YY, Li SM, Ma MG, Yao K, Sun RC (2014) Compare study cellulose/Ag hybrids using fructose and glucose as reducing reagents by hydrothermal method. Carbohyd Polym 106:14–21

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Ashok B, Reddy KO, Yorseng K (2018) Modification of natural fibers from Thespesia lampas plant by in situ generation silver nanoparticies in single-step hydrothermal method. Int J Polym Anal Ch 23:509–516

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Muthulakshmi L, Rajini N, Nellaiah H, Kathiresan T, Jawaid M, Rajulu AV (2017) Experimental investigation of cellulose/silver nanocomposites using in situ generation method. J Polym Environ 25:1021–1032

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Heidari H (2018) Ag Nanoparticle/nanofibrillated cellulose composite as an effective and green catalyst for reduction of 4-Nitrophenol. J Clust Sci 29:475–481

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Li YC, Park CW (1999) Particle size distribution in the synthesis of nanoparticles using microemulsions. Langmuir 15:952–956

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Naksuk A, Sabatini DA, Tongcumpou C (2009) Microemulsion-based palm kernel oil extraction using mixed surfactant solutions. Ind Crops Prod 30:194–198

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Xia Y, Larock RC (2010) Vegetable oil-based polymeric materials: synthesis, properties, and applications. Green Chem 12:1893–1909

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Alander J, Warnheim T (1989) Model microemulsions containing vegetable oils part 1: nonionic surfactant systems. J Am Oil Chem Soc 66:1656–1660

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Acharya A, Moulik SP, Sanyal SK, Mishra BK, Puri PM (2002) Physicochemical investigations of microernulsification of coconut oil and water using polyoxyethylene 2-cetyl ether (Brij 52) and isopropanol or ethanol. J Colloid Interf Sci 245:163–170

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Mendonca CR, Silva YP, Bockel WJ (2009) Role of the co-surfactant nature in soybean w/o microemulsions. J Colloid Interface Sci 337:579–585

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Singla M, Patanjali PK (2013) Phase behaviour of neem oil based microemulsion formulations. Ind Crops Prod 44:421–426

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Wang AL, Chen L, Jiang DY, Yan ZC (2013) Vegetable oil-based ionic liquid microemulsions and their potential as alternative renewable biolubricant basestocks. Ind Crops Prod 51:425–429

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gao X, Li J, Gao W (2009) Study on preparation of modified lubricant containing nano-Schiff base and Schiff base copper complex in W/O microemulsion reactor. Colloid J 71:302–307

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Zhang WZ, Qiao XL, Chen JG (2008) Formation of silver nanoparticles in SDS inverse microemulsions. Mater Chem Phys 109:411–416

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Chen DH, Chen JH, Hang TC (2000) Preparation and characterization of silver ultrafine particles in AOT reverse micelles. J Chin Inst Chem Eng 31:203–210

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Gao J, Zheng CJ, Tan TR, Liu SC, Ji HW (2018) Enhanced saccharification of rice straw using combined ultra-high pressure and ionic liquid microemulsion pretreatments. 3 Biotech 8(4):208.

  27. Rao VG, Ghosh S, Ghatak C, Mandal S, Brahmachari U, Sarkar N (2012) Designing a new strategy for the formation of IL-in-oil microemulsions. J Phys Chem B 116:2850–2855

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Jiang DY, Chen L, Wang AL, Yan ZC (2014) Esterification of oleic acid in [Bmim]BF4/[Hmim]HSO4 + TX-100/cyclohexane ionic liquid microemulsion. RSC Adv 4:54427–54433

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Hall CA, Le KA, Rudaz C (2012) Macroscopic and microscopic study of 1-Ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate-water mixtures. J Phys Chem B 116:12810–12818

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Cao Y, Tan HM (2005) Study on crystal structures of enzyme-hydrolyzed cellulosic materials by X-ray diffraction. Enzym Microb Tech 36:314–317

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Saha S, Pal A, Kundu S, Basu S, Pal T (2010) Photochemical green synthesis of calcium-alginate-stabilized Ag and Au nanoparticles and their catalytic application to 4-Nitrophenol reduction. Langmuir 26:2885–2893

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Mohamed MA, Salleh WNW, Jaafar J (2016) Physicochemical characteristic of regenerated cellulose/N-doped TiO2 nanocomposite membrane fabricated from recycled newspaper with photocatalytic activity under UV and visible light irradiation. Chem Eng J 284:202–215

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Wu JJ, Zhao N, Zhang XL, Xu J (2012) Cellulose/silver nanoparticles composite microspheres: eco-friendly synthesis and catalytic application. Cellulose 19:1239–1249

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Zhang H, Wu J, Zhang J, He JS (2005) 1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride room temperature ionic liquid: A new and powerful nonderivatizing solvent for cellulose. Macromolecules 38:8272–8277

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Lan W, Liu CF, Yue FX, Sun RC, Kennedy JF (2011) Ultrasound-assisted dissolution of cellulose in ionic liquid. Carbohyd Polym 86:672–677

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Zhu CT, Dobryden I, Ryden J, Oberg S, Holmgren A, Mathew AP (2015) Adsorption behavior of cellulose and its derivatives toward Ag(I) in aqueous medium: an AFM, spectroscopic, and DFT Study. Langmuir 31:12390–12400

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Yeo SY, Tan WL, Abu Baku M, Ismail J (2010) Silver sulfide/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) nanocomposites: thermal stability and kinetic analysis of thermal degradation. Polym Degrad Stabil 95:1299–1304

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Li R, He M, Li T, Zhang LN (2015) Preparation and properties of cellulose/silver nanocomposite fibers. Carbohyd Polym 115:269–275

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Heidari H, Karbalaee M (2019) Ultrasonic assisted synthesis of nanocrystalline cellulose as support and reducing agent for Ag nanoparticles: green synthesis and novel effective nanocatalyst for degradation of organic dyes. Appl Organometal Chem 33(9):e5070

    Google Scholar 

  40. Tang SC, Vongehr S, Meng XK (2010) Controllable incorporation of Ag and Ag–Au nanoparticles in carbon spheres for tunable optical and catalytic properties. J Mater Chem 20:5436–5445

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Shi Y, Zhang XL, Feng G, Chen XS, Lu ZH (2015) Ag-SiO2 nanocomposites with plum-pudding structure as catalyst for hydrogenation of 4-Nitrophenol. Ceram Int 41:14660–14667

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Gangarapu M, Sarangapany S, Veerabhali KK, Devipriya SP, Arava VBR (2017) A high-performance catalytic and recyclability of phyto-synthesized silver nanoparticles embedded in natural polymer. J Clust Sci 28:3127–3138

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Murugan E, Jebaranjitham JN (2012) Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles supported on surface-modified poly(N-vinylimidazale) as catalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. J Mol Catal 365:128–135

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21676095) and the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou, China (201804020014). The authors would also gratefully acknowledge the support from the Guangdong Provincial Laboratory of Green Chemical Technology.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Yuming Zhang, Li Chen, Lihua Hu & Zongcheng Yan

Authors
  1. Yuming Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lihua Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zongcheng Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zongcheng Yan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 1781 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, Y., Chen, L., Hu, L. et al. Characterization of Cellulose/Silver Nanocomposites Prepared by Vegetable Oil-Based Microemulsion Method and Their Catalytic Performance to 4-Nitrophenol Reduction. J Polym Environ 27, 2943–2955 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-019-01583-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-019-01583-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation