Synthesis and catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles supported on porous cellulose acetate sheets and wet-spun fibers.

Cellulose acetate fibers (CAfiber), and sheets (CAsheet) were prepared by wet-spinning, and doctor blade methods, respectively. For CAfiber, the CA-acetone solution was pushed through narrow orifice of the medical syringe into a coagulating bath containing water. The same polymer solution was used for the fabrication of CAsheet. The prepared CAfiber and CAsheet were dipped in a 0.1M aqueous AgNO3 solution followed by treatment with 0.1M NaBH4 aqueous solution to synthesize the Ag nanoparticles over stated substrates. The virgin CAfiber and CAsheet as well as Ag nanoparticles containing samples (Ag/CAfiber and Ag/CAsheet) were characterized by FE-SEM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA. These materials were tested as catalysts in hydrogenation of the 2,6-dinitrophenol (2,6-DNP) by NaBH4. The Ag/CAfiber played better catalytic role in the hydrogenation of 2,6-DNP as compared to the Ag/CAsheet. Moreover, the catalyst amount effect on the reaction rate constant, ease of separation and reusability of the prepared materials were discussed.