Preparation of silver nanoparticles on cellulose nanocrystals and the application in electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization

Synthesis of Ag nanopaticles was carried out with carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals as the scaffolds by reducing metallic cations using NaBH4. Ag particles with a size less than 10 nm were readily prepared and dispersed well. The carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals supplied a coordination effect to adsorb metallic cations and Ag nanoparticles, which prevent the aggregation of nanoparticles. The carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals carrying Ag nanoparticles were used as labels for electrical detection of DNA hybridization.