Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of Gold Nanoparticles Supported on Dendrimeric Nanocellulose Hybrids

Thanks to their unique properties, such as (i) renewability, (ii) high aspect ratios, (iii) low density, (iv) biodegradability, (v) high strength, and (vi) stiffness, there have been many reports in recent years detailing the isolation and functionalization of cellulose nanowhiskers from cellulose. Moreover, nanocellulose can be produced in large quantities in a cost-effective manner and can be easily functionalized due to its high density of hydroxy groups. In the present work, alkynyl-dendrons of the PAMAM family were covalently attached to azide-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals by click chemistry (Huisgen cycloaddition). The resulting cycloadducts were then used as templates for the preparation of stable and monodispersed gold nanoparticles in aqueous media. The catalytic capabilities of these hybrid materials were studied in the sodium borohydride mediated reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol, which served as a model reaction.