Synthesis and stabilization of selenium nanoparticles on cellulose nanocrystal

Selenium nanoparticles of 10-20 nm in diameter have been prepared using cellulose nanocrystal (CNXL) as a reducing and structure-directing agent under hydrothermal conditions. Na2SeO3 was reduced to form elemental selenium nanoparticles under hydrothermal conditions. During the hydrothermal process (120-160 degrees C, CNXL rods were mainly maintained and selenium nanoparticles were interfacially bound to the CNXL surface. The reaction temperature affects the sizes of interfacially bound selenium nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were employed to characterize interfacially bound selenium nanoparticles on CNXL surface. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.