Cellulose nanocrystals/silver nanoparticles: In-situ preparation and application in PVA films

Abstract

With the increasing application of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films in the field of food packaging, it is important to improve its mechanical and antibacterial properties. This paper focuses on the preparation of PVA nanocomposite films and how their properties are affected by a silver-loaded nanocellulose solution. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were used as both the carrier and the dispersant of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared using glucose as the reducing agent. Ag+ was stabilized by the many hydroxyl groups located in the CNCs, and then the Ag+ was reduced to AgNPs in situ. After addition of silver-loaded nanocellulose, the tensile strength of the CNC-PVA-AgNP films increased from 47 MPa to 73 MPa, and the nanocomposite films displayed reduced moisture absorption and good antibacterial properties.