Naked Au nanoparticles monodispersed onto multifunctional cellulose nanocrystal-graphene hybrid sheets: towards efficient and sustainable heterogeneous catalystsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c7nj03798h

• Main Authors: Wang, Yameng, Zhang, Huinian, Lin, Xiangjun, Chen, Shuai, Jiang, Zhongjie, Wang, Junzhong, Huang, Jianlin, Zhang, Fang, Li, Hexing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 29.01.2018
• ISSN: 1144-0546; 1369-9261
• DOI: 10.1039/c7nj03798h

A simple, clean, and efficient synthesis method has been developed for deposition of ∼3 nm monodisperse "naked" gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) onto cellulose nanocrystal-graphene (CNC-G) hybrid sheets without the use of additional reducing and capping agents. The as-prepared catalysts (Au@CNC-G) were examined using FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After some optimization, the Au@CNC-G catalyst exhibited robust catalytic activity, impressive stability, and good flexibility for the "one-pot" reaction of an alkyne, an amine, and an aldehyde (A 3 -coupling) in water. The catalytic activity of the Au@CNC-G catalyst could be attributed to the synergistic effect derived from the coexistence of CNC and graphene. The Au 3+ ions could be in situ reduced to create fine Au NPs and simultaneously anchored on the surface of CNC-G hybrid sheets through coordination, leading to the uniform dispersion of the Au NPs. Moreover, the Au@CNC-G catalyst could be conveniently recycled and reused many times, thus lowering the cost and minimizing the environmental pollution caused by organic solvents and heavy metal ions. A synthesis method has been developed for deposition of ∼3 nm monodisperse gold nanoparticles onto cellulose nanocrystal-graphene hybrid sheets.