Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with adjustable sizes and their nanocomposite films based on electrodeposition of polysaccharides

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have received great attention in the fields ranging from antibacterial materials to sensors. Herein, a novel and green strategy based on electrodeposition of polysaccharides (chitosan, carboxylated chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, and sodium alginate) is explored to synthesize AgNPs with adjustable particle sizes and their polysaccharide-based nanocomposite films. These polysaccharides not only serve as the electrodeposited polysaccharide, but also act as the reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of AgNPs. After the electrodeposition of polysaccharides, homogeneous and smooth deposited films (polysaccharide-based nanocomposite films) have been generated on the anodic electrodes. Spectral analysis and transmission electron microscopy confirm the existence of AgNPs in the nanocomposite films. The as-fabricated AgNPs from the electrodeposition of four polysaccharides have different particle sizes ranging from 2.19 to 12.89 nm. The difference in the particle size of AgNPs is related to the different reducibility and stabilizing ability of the polysaccharides. This work provides a facile and controllable new electrodeposition strategy for green synthesis of AgNPs with different sizes and their nanocomposite films, which presents great potential in fabricating AgNPs and their nanocomposites with specific particle sizes and particular properties.

Automated summary

A novel and green strategy based on polysaccharides electrodeposition was explored to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with adjustable particle sizes and their polysaccharide-based nanocomposite films. The polysaccharides acted as the electrodeposited material, as well as the reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of AgNPs. The as-fabricated AgNPs from four different polysaccharides had different particle sizes ranging from 2.19 to 12.89 nm, which were determined by the reducibility and stabilizing ability of the polysaccharides. This research provides a facile and controllable electrodeposition strategy for green synthesis of AgNPs with different sizes and their nanocomposite films.