In-Situ Growth of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Cellulose Nanofibrils for Dye Removal and Antimicrobial Applications

Abstract

Nanocellulose is known to act as a platform for the in-situ formation of metal oxide nanoparticles, where the multiple components of the resultant hybrids act synergistically toward specific applications. However, typical mineralization reactions require hydrothermal conditions or addition of further reducing agents. Herein, we demonstrate that carboxylated cellulose nanofibril-based films can spontaneously grow functional metal oxide nanoparticles during the adsorption of heavy metal ions from water, without the need of any further chemicals or temperature. Despite the apparent universality of this behavior with different metal ions, this work focuses on studying the in-situ formation of copper oxide nanoparticles on TOCNF films as well as the resultant hybrid films with improved functionality toward dye removal from water and antimicrobial activity. Using a combination of cutting-edge techniques (e.g., in-situ SAXS and QCMD) to systematically follow the nanoparticle formation on the nanocellulosic films in real time, we suggest a plausible mechanism of assembly. Our results confirm that carboxylated cellulose nanofibril films act as universal substrate for the formation of metal oxide nanoparticles, and thus hybrid nanomaterials, during metal ion adsorption processes. This phenomenon enables the upcycling of nanocellulosic materials through multistage applications, thus increasing its sustainability and efficiency in terms of an optimal use of resources.

Adsorption removal of Congo red onto L-cysteine/rGO/PANI nanocomposite: equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic studies

“…Among all these methods, adsorption proved itself as a promising removal method credited to the merits of cost effectiveness, high designation flexibility, high performance in removal of small molecules, least fluctuations, resistance to toxic matter, low discharge ratio and easy handling [12][13][14]. For dye removal, various types of adsorbents are extensively studied including activated carbon [15], metal oxides [16], polymers [17], zeolites [18], agricultural residues [19] CuO-ZnO tetrapodal hybrid [20], Cu-WO 3 [21] tpolydimethylsiloxane@zinc oxide tetrapod@iron oxide nanorod nanohybrid [22], ZnO-tetrapods/activated carbon (ZnO-T/AC) nanocomposite [23] and carboxylated cellulose nanofibril films [24]. But among them, few adsorbents face some difficulties like low adsorption capacity, insufficient extraction and issues of recycling and reuse [25].…”

Fully Bio-Based Elastomer Nanocomposites Comprising Polyfarnesene Reinforced with Plasma-Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals

“…C 2 type (287 eV) is related to carbon atoms bonded to an oxygen atom (C-O, C-OH). Carbon atoms bonded to a carbonyl, or two non-carbonyl oxygen atoms (C=O, O-C-O) corresponds to C 3 type (288 eV), and the class of C 4 (289 eV) associates with carbon atoms bonded to a carbonyl and non-carbonyl oxygen atom (O=CO) [ 16 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. All the distinctive signals could be observed in all types of nanocrystals; however, the m -CNC exhibits an additional signal at a binding energy of 284 eV, which is attributed to the sp 2 bond of carbon, from the double bonds in the backbone and side chains of PF deposited on the surface of the m -CNC [ 16 ].…”

Nanocellulose-Based Materials for Water Treatment: Adsorption, Photocatalytic Degradation, Disinfection, Antifouling, and Nanofiltration

“…Magnetic nanoparticles can be deposited onto nanocelluloses (CNFs, CNCs, and BC) via in situ hydrolyses of metal precursors that have been investigated for dye removal [156]. The effects of different concentrations of nanocelluloses on the morphology and the magnetic properties of the nanocellulose based materials produced have been discussed in the literature [120,156,157].…”