Reductant-Free Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles-Doped Cellulose Microgels for Catalyzing and Product Separation

A novel and straightforward synthetic strategy was developed to prepare silver nanoparticles-doped cellulose microgels (Ag NPs@CMG) nanohybrids at room temperature. Residual alkali (sodium hydroxide/urea) from a cellulose dissolving system was reused and acted as a functional accelerant, which made it possible for Ag⁺ to be reduced to Ag⁰ by CMG at room temperature, yielding Ag NPs decorated on CMG. The as-prepared Ag NPs@CMG nanohybrids exhibited excellent catalytic performance in reduction of 4-nitrophenol and organic dyes. Moreover, the Ag NPs@CMG nanohybrids were capable to form a desirable porous membrane for catalyzing and simultaneous product separation. Reactants passing through the membrane could be catalytically transformed to product, which is of great significance for water treatment. As a demonstration, three kinds of organic dye solutions were successfully decolorized by using a Ag NPs@CMG nanohybrids-based membrane. The simplicity, sustainability, and straightforwardness of this approach to prepare a highly efficient catalyst and functional membrane open up new possibilities for large-scale production and application of bioresources/noble metal nanohybrids in various fields.