# Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Cellulose Stabilized Copper Nanoparticles

Authors: Aminu Musa; Mansor B. Ahmad; Mohd Zobir Hussein; Saiman Mohd Izham; Kamyar Shameli; Hannatu Abubakar Sani
Journal: Journal of Nanomaterials
 (2016)

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## Abstract

A chemical reduction method was employed for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles stabilized by nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) using different concentrations of copper salt in aqueous solution under atmospheric air. CuSO4·5H2O salt and hydrazine were used as metal ion precursor and reducing agent, respectively. Ascorbic acid and aqueous NaOH were also used as an antioxidant and a pH moderator, respectively. The number of CuNPs increased with increasing concentration of the precursor salt. The formation of copper nanoparticles stabilized by NCC (CuNPs@NCC) was investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), where the surface absorption maximum was observed at 590 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the CuNPs@NCC are of a face-centered cubic structure. Moreover, the morphology of the CuNPs@NCC was investigated using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), which showed well-dispersed CuNPs with an average particle size less than 4 nm and the shape of CuNPs was found to be spherical. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) also confirmed the presence of CuNPs on the NCC. The results demonstrate that the stability of CuNPs decreases with an increasing concentration of the copper ions.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Nanoscience is the exploration of materials by fabricating nanometer scale materials with novel and improved properties that can involve all areas of physical and chemical science. Nanomaterials show unique properties. One important nanomaterial is copper metal nanoparticles. Copper nanoparticles have been widely used during the past few years in various applications, such as optical sensor [1], catalysis [2], electronic circuit, and powder metallurgical material [3]. Moreover, copper nanoparticles have low cost and high thermal and electrical conductivity, compared to the precious metal nanoparticles. Copper nanoparticles have been prepared by various techniques of preparation methods such as microwave irradiation [4], biosynthesis [5], electron beam irradiation [6], and laser ablation [7]. Among the various methods, chemical reduction is one of the most convenient techniques for the preparation of copper nanoparticles because it is simple and the size and shape of metal can easily be controlled. Chemical methods in relation to other methods are much faster, cleaner, and more economical [8–12]. The great problem is to stabilize the prepared copper nanoparticles because they can easily be oxidized in solution by air to form copper oxide and agglomerated due to the high surface area to volume ratio. However, polymer, surfactants, and ligands can be used as stabilizers in aqueous media, preventing agglomeration to yield highly stable well-dispersed metal nanoparticles [13].At present much of research attention regarding the preparation of nanoparticles in biopolymer has been focused. Among them cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer in the world and exists mostly in higher plants as well as in protozoa, algae, and bacteria [14]. An acid hydrolysis is the main process for the preparation of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) from cellulose fiber transversely. The amorphous region of the cellulose that acts as structural defects is removed inducing a transverse cleavage of cellulose fibers into rod-like nanocrystals [15]. The use of sulphuric acid has been shown to produce nanocrystalline cellulose with sulfate ester groups on the nanocrystals surface, resulting in electrostatically stabilized aqueous suspension of NCC [16]. The main benefits attributed to nanocrystalline cellulose properties are their high strength, low abrasiveness, wide availability, renewability, low cost (relative to other nanoparticles), ability to form hydrogen bonds which enables interparticle network formation, light weight, and high aspect ratio. NCC was widely used in various applications, such as drug delivery, enzyme immobilization, polymer reinforcement, and support matrix for metallic nanoparticle synthesis, and also as a template for mesoporous materials [14].Several literatures have reported the potential of NCC as a stable surface for the reduction of metal ions and immobilization of metal nanoparticles due to its abundant hydroxyl groups. NCC has been used as a support for palladium, gold, and copper oxide nanoparticles synthesis [14, 17, 18]. Similarly, NCC has also been used as a template for preparation of nickel nanocrystals, reducer for silver wire in the presence of light, and chiral inducer for the hydrogenation of prochiral ketones, respectively [19–21]. However, to the best of our knowledge, preparation of copper nanoparticles supported by the NCC has not been exploited well.Herein, chemical reduction method to synthesize copper nanoparticle supported by NCC isolated from rice straw, using different concentrations of CuSO4·5H2O salt, hydrazine hydrate, ascorbic acid, and NaOH, as copper precursor, reducing agent, antioxidant, and pH moderator, respectively, without inert gas using reflux at 110°C is reported for the first time.


## 2. Experimental

### 2.1. Materials

All reagents in this research were of analytical grade and were used as received. CuSO4·5H2O (99%) was used as copper ions precursor and was provided by Bendosen Laboratory Chemicals, ascorbic acid (90%) was provided by Hamburg Chemicals, and NaOH (99%) and hydrazine hydrate (35% hydrazine) were purchased from MERCK, Germany, and Acros Organic, New Jersey, USA.


### 2.2. Preparation of Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Rice Straw

NCC was prepared from rice straw cellulose as a modified process reported before [22]. In brief, pure white cellulose was extracted from rice straw and then used to prepare NCC by acid hydrolysis. Acid hydrolysis was performed with 64 weight% sulfuric acid. 5 g of cellulose was hydrolyzed with 50 mL sulfuric acid at 45°C for 60 min under vigorous and constant mechanical stirring. The resulting suspension was diluted with 500 mL cold distilled water, followed by centrifuging at 15,000 rpm for 10 min and dialyzed using cellulose membrane in distilled water until a constant pH was reached. Ultrasonic treatment was then carried out for 20 min in an ice bath to avoid overheating to disperse the nanocrystals. Finally the aqueous suspension was freeze-dried in liquid nitrogen to obtain a nanocrystalline cellulose powder.


### 2.3. Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Supported Nanocrystalline Cellulose

For synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) supported on nanocrystalline cellulose (CuNPs@NCC), 0.5 g of the NCC was dissolved in 50 mL ultrapure water and sonicated for 20 min to achieve 1% (w/v) suspension. 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mL of CuSO4·5H2O (0.1 M) were added to 45, 40, 35, 30, and 25 mL 1% (w/v) of NCC suspension to get the final concentrations of 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.05 M. Then, 2.5 mL of 0.02 M ascorbic acid was added with constant stirring at 110°C for 20 min. This was followed by the addition of 5 mL NaOH solution, after further stirring for another 20 min, until a light green solution was obtained. Finally 2.5 mL of 35 wt% hydrazine was added for reduction of copper ions, during which the solution mixture changed from dark to reddish brown within 30 min of the reaction time with constant stirring. The CuNPs@NCC were isolated by centrifugation at 14,000 rpm for 10 min and dried in a vacuum overnight at 60°C.


## 2.1. Materials

All reagents in this research were of analytical grade and were used as received. CuSO4·5H2O (99%) was used as copper ions precursor and was provided by Bendosen Laboratory Chemicals, ascorbic acid (90%) was provided by Hamburg Chemicals, and NaOH (99%) and hydrazine hydrate (35% hydrazine) were purchased from MERCK, Germany, and Acros Organic, New Jersey, USA.


## 2.2. Preparation of Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Rice Straw

NCC was prepared from rice straw cellulose as a modified process reported before [22]. In brief, pure white cellulose was extracted from rice straw and then used to prepare NCC by acid hydrolysis. Acid hydrolysis was performed with 64 weight% sulfuric acid. 5 g of cellulose was hydrolyzed with 50 mL sulfuric acid at 45°C for 60 min under vigorous and constant mechanical stirring. The resulting suspension was diluted with 500 mL cold distilled water, followed by centrifuging at 15,000 rpm for 10 min and dialyzed using cellulose membrane in distilled water until a constant pH was reached. Ultrasonic treatment was then carried out for 20 min in an ice bath to avoid overheating to disperse the nanocrystals. Finally the aqueous suspension was freeze-dried in liquid nitrogen to obtain a nanocrystalline cellulose powder.


## 2.3. Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Supported Nanocrystalline Cellulose

For synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) supported on nanocrystalline cellulose (CuNPs@NCC), 0.5 g of the NCC was dissolved in 50 mL ultrapure water and sonicated for 20 min to achieve 1% (w/v) suspension. 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mL of CuSO4·5H2O (0.1 M) were added to 45, 40, 35, 30, and 25 mL 1% (w/v) of NCC suspension to get the final concentrations of 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.05 M. Then, 2.5 mL of 0.02 M ascorbic acid was added with constant stirring at 110°C for 20 min. This was followed by the addition of 5 mL NaOH solution, after further stirring for another 20 min, until a light green solution was obtained. Finally 2.5 mL of 35 wt% hydrazine was added for reduction of copper ions, during which the solution mixture changed from dark to reddish brown within 30 min of the reaction time with constant stirring. The CuNPs@NCC were isolated by centrifugation at 14,000 rpm for 10 min and dried in a vacuum overnight at 60°C.


## 3. Characterization Methods and Instruments

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the prepared sample was determined using a UV 1650 PC-Shimazu B UV-visible spectrophotometer (Shimazu, Osaka, Japan). The structures of the produced CuNPs@NCC and NCC were examined using Philip X’pert PXRD (Cu kα radiation; PANalytical, Almedo, Netherlands). The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation was carried out using an H-7100 electron microscope (Hitachi Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), and the particle size distribution was measured using UTHSCSA Image Tool version 3.00. Furthermore, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX) was used to observe the morphology of NCC and CuNPs@NCC. FESEM with EDX was performed with a JEOL JSM-7600F instrument. FTIR in the range of 200–4000 cm−1 was used in order to study the structures of NCC and CuNPs@NCC. The FTIR spectra of the samples were obtained at ambient temperature using KBr disc method. The disk containing 1 mg of the sample was recorded with the wave number range of 200–4000 cm−1 using a series 100 Perkin Elmer FT-IR 1650 spectrophotometer.


## 4. Result and Discussion

Chemical reduction of CuSO4·5H2O salt using hydrazine, NCC, and NaOH solution as reducing agent, support, and pH moderator, respectively. CuNPs@NCC were generated as demonstrated in the following equations:(1)
C
u
2
+
+
N
C
C
⟶
N
C
C
/
C
u
2
+
(2)
N
C
C
/
C
u
2
+
+
2
O
H
-
⟶
N
C
C
/
C
u
O
H
2
2
+
(3)
N
C
C
/
C
u
O
H
2
2
+
+
N
2
H
4
a
q
⟶
N
C
C
/
C
u
N
P
s
+
N
2
+
2
H
2
O
+
H
2


### 4.1. UV-Visible Spectroscopy Analysis

The formation process of CuNPs supported on NCC can be indicated by the colour change of the reaction mixture and UV-vis spectra. Figure3(b–f) shows the UV-vis spectra of the CuNPs@NCC by using different concentrations of Cu2+ ions, which have characteristic absorption peaks around 599–590 nm. The absorption peaks are attributed to the SPR band of the CuNPs. However, a blue shift in the wavelength from 599 nm to 590 nm was observed with the increase in concentration of precursor salt from 0.01 to 0.03 M. This shift can be explained on the basis of increase in nucleation rate due to the greater amount of Cu2+ ions and generation of smaller nanoparticles in the solution [23]. Similarly, with the further increase in the concentration of the precursor salt from 0.04 to 0.05 M, a red shift in the SPR was observed from 590 nm to 599 nm. This may be due to collision between small nanoparticles, which lead to particle growth [24].A possible formation mechanism of NCC supported CuNPs is proposed in Figure1 based on the prementioned experimental results.Figure 1
Schematic illustration for the formation mechanism of CuNPs supported NCC using N2H4 as reducing agents.Figure2 shows digital pictures of Cu2+ ions/NCC and CuNPs/NCC at different concentrations [0.01–0.05 M (N1–N5)]. The colour changes from light blue to red wine upon addition of hydrazine; the intensity of the colour increases with the increase in the concentration of Cu2+ ions as shown in Figure 2.Figure 2
Digital pictures of Cu2+ ions/NCC and CuNPs/NCC at different concentrations [0.01–0.05 M (N1–N5)].Figure 3
UV-visible absorption spectra of NCC (a) and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions [0.01–0.05 M (b–f)], respectively.


### 4.2. X-Ray Diffraction Analysis

The crystallographic behavior of the CuNPs@NCC was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. From the XRD spectrum shown in Figure4, the two peaks located at 2θ values of 22.85° and 34.37° for NCC corresponding to the (200) and (004) diffraction planes of cellulose I, indicating that supporting of CuNPs on NCC did not change the crystalline structure of the NCC [14]. For the CuNPs@NCC, the peaks located at 43.38°, 50.52°, and 74.25° can be observed, which are characteristic peaks assigned to the diffraction of the (111), (200), and (220) lattice planes for the Cu (0) crystals [23, 25]. Furthermore, the intensities of (111), (200), and (220) reflections due to the CuNPs phase were also found to increase along with increase in CuNPs contents.Figure 4
XRD diffractogram of NCC (a) and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ [0.01–0.03 M (b–d)], respectively.The average particles size of copper nanoparticles can be calculated using Debye-Scherrer equation:(4)
D
=
k
λ
β
1
/
2
cos
⁡
θ
,where k is the Scherrer constant with the value from 0.9 to 1 (shape factor), λ is the X-ray wavelength (1.5418 Å), β
1
/
2 is the width of the XRD peak at half-height, and θ is the Bragg angle. The average particles’ size of the optimum concentration is found to be less than 2 nm.


### 4.3. Transmission Electron Microscopy

TEM was used to characterize imaging nanomaterials to obtain quantitative measurements of particles and/or grain size, size distribution, and morphology of the NCC from the rice straw and CuNPs@NCC. Generally, NCC is rod-like with the length of about 37.50 ± 43.11 nm and width of 6.99 ± 1.32 nm as shown in Figure5(a). Figures 5(b)–5(d) present the TEM images of CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions (0.01–0.03 M), together with the corresponding particles size distribution histogram. TEM images and their size distribution revealed that the mean diameter and the standard deviation of CuNPs@NCC were found to be 2.46 ± 0.65, 2.08 ± 0.51, and 1.92 ± 0.39 nm for the concentrations of Cu2+ ions (0.01–0.03 M), respectively. The data obtained from TEM were in agreement with that of UV-vis spectra, which indicated that when the concentration was increased from 0.01 to 0.03 M, the size of copper nanoparticles decreases, but after increasing the concentration from 0.04 to 0.05 M, the size of the nanoparticles increases, which may be due to the collision of small nanoparticles.Figure 5
TEM images of rod-like NCC and histograms showing length and width distribution (a) and particles size distribution of CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions [0.01–0.03 M (b–d)].
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)


### 4.4. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy

FESEM was further used to investigate the morphology of NCC from the rice straw and CuNPs@NCC. Figure6 shows the images of NCC and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions (0.01–0.03 M), respectively. The images indicated that CuNPs are supported on the NCC, as the concentration of Cu2+ ions increases the formation of CuNPs also increases.Figure 6
Field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs of NCC and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions [0.01–0.03 M (a–c)], respectively.


### 4.5. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy

EDX can give clear information about the elements present in the samples. Figure7 showed the EDX patterns of NCC and the CuNPs@NCC, which confirms that the nanoparticles are Cu. The C and O signals arise from the NCC. Similarly, Au signals are observed, which are due to Au coated grid.Figure 7
EDX spectroscopy of NCC and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions [0.01–0.03 M (a–c)], respectively.


## 4.1. UV-Visible Spectroscopy Analysis

The formation process of CuNPs supported on NCC can be indicated by the colour change of the reaction mixture and UV-vis spectra. Figure3(b–f) shows the UV-vis spectra of the CuNPs@NCC by using different concentrations of Cu2+ ions, which have characteristic absorption peaks around 599–590 nm. The absorption peaks are attributed to the SPR band of the CuNPs. However, a blue shift in the wavelength from 599 nm to 590 nm was observed with the increase in concentration of precursor salt from 0.01 to 0.03 M. This shift can be explained on the basis of increase in nucleation rate due to the greater amount of Cu2+ ions and generation of smaller nanoparticles in the solution [23]. Similarly, with the further increase in the concentration of the precursor salt from 0.04 to 0.05 M, a red shift in the SPR was observed from 590 nm to 599 nm. This may be due to collision between small nanoparticles, which lead to particle growth [24].A possible formation mechanism of NCC supported CuNPs is proposed in Figure1 based on the prementioned experimental results.Figure 1
Schematic illustration for the formation mechanism of CuNPs supported NCC using N2H4 as reducing agents.Figure2 shows digital pictures of Cu2+ ions/NCC and CuNPs/NCC at different concentrations [0.01–0.05 M (N1–N5)]. The colour changes from light blue to red wine upon addition of hydrazine; the intensity of the colour increases with the increase in the concentration of Cu2+ ions as shown in Figure 2.Figure 2
Digital pictures of Cu2+ ions/NCC and CuNPs/NCC at different concentrations [0.01–0.05 M (N1–N5)].Figure 3
UV-visible absorption spectra of NCC (a) and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions [0.01–0.05 M (b–f)], respectively.


## 4.2. X-Ray Diffraction Analysis

The crystallographic behavior of the CuNPs@NCC was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. From the XRD spectrum shown in Figure4, the two peaks located at 2θ values of 22.85° and 34.37° for NCC corresponding to the (200) and (004) diffraction planes of cellulose I, indicating that supporting of CuNPs on NCC did not change the crystalline structure of the NCC [14]. For the CuNPs@NCC, the peaks located at 43.38°, 50.52°, and 74.25° can be observed, which are characteristic peaks assigned to the diffraction of the (111), (200), and (220) lattice planes for the Cu (0) crystals [23, 25]. Furthermore, the intensities of (111), (200), and (220) reflections due to the CuNPs phase were also found to increase along with increase in CuNPs contents.Figure 4
XRD diffractogram of NCC (a) and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ [0.01–0.03 M (b–d)], respectively.The average particles size of copper nanoparticles can be calculated using Debye-Scherrer equation:(4)
D
=
k
λ
β
1
/
2
cos
⁡
θ
,where k is the Scherrer constant with the value from 0.9 to 1 (shape factor), λ is the X-ray wavelength (1.5418 Å), β
1
/
2 is the width of the XRD peak at half-height, and θ is the Bragg angle. The average particles’ size of the optimum concentration is found to be less than 2 nm.


## 4.3. Transmission Electron Microscopy

TEM was used to characterize imaging nanomaterials to obtain quantitative measurements of particles and/or grain size, size distribution, and morphology of the NCC from the rice straw and CuNPs@NCC. Generally, NCC is rod-like with the length of about 37.50 ± 43.11 nm and width of 6.99 ± 1.32 nm as shown in Figure5(a). Figures 5(b)–5(d) present the TEM images of CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions (0.01–0.03 M), together with the corresponding particles size distribution histogram. TEM images and their size distribution revealed that the mean diameter and the standard deviation of CuNPs@NCC were found to be 2.46 ± 0.65, 2.08 ± 0.51, and 1.92 ± 0.39 nm for the concentrations of Cu2+ ions (0.01–0.03 M), respectively. The data obtained from TEM were in agreement with that of UV-vis spectra, which indicated that when the concentration was increased from 0.01 to 0.03 M, the size of copper nanoparticles decreases, but after increasing the concentration from 0.04 to 0.05 M, the size of the nanoparticles increases, which may be due to the collision of small nanoparticles.Figure 5
TEM images of rod-like NCC and histograms showing length and width distribution (a) and particles size distribution of CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions [0.01–0.03 M (b–d)].
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)


## 4.4. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy

FESEM was further used to investigate the morphology of NCC from the rice straw and CuNPs@NCC. Figure6 shows the images of NCC and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions (0.01–0.03 M), respectively. The images indicated that CuNPs are supported on the NCC, as the concentration of Cu2+ ions increases the formation of CuNPs also increases.Figure 6
Field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs of NCC and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions [0.01–0.03 M (a–c)], respectively.


## 4.5. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy

EDX can give clear information about the elements present in the samples. Figure7 showed the EDX patterns of NCC and the CuNPs@NCC, which confirms that the nanoparticles are Cu. The C and O signals arise from the NCC. Similarly, Au signals are observed, which are due to Au coated grid.Figure 7
EDX spectroscopy of NCC and CuNPs@NCC at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions [0.01–0.03 M (a–c)], respectively.


## 5. Conclusions

Copper nanoparticles supported on nanocrystalline cellulose have been successfully prepared by using hydrazine and refluxing temperature without inert atmosphere, at different concentrations of Cu2+ ions as a precursor salt for the nanoparticles. The concentration of precursor salt plays a vital role for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles on NCC, in which an increase of precursor salt leads to the decrease in size of the CuNPs. This was proven by the maximum surface plasmon resonance peak at 599 to 590 nm for each sample as indicated by UV-vis spectroscopy. Similarly, XRD patterns also display the face centered cubic (fcc) crystals structure for the Cu without any impurity of the samples. The TEM images and their size distribution revealed that the mean diameter and the standard deviation of CuNPs@NCC decrease as the concentration of precursor salt increases, but when it reaches optimum at 0.03 M the particles’ size increases. Furthermore, FESEM and EDX revealed the presence of CuNPs on NCC.



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*Source: 2490906-2016-02-10.xml*