Sonoelectrochemical synthesis of chitosan/gold nanocomposites for application in removing toxic materials in mainstream smokes

In this work, chitosan (Ch)-capped gold nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared in aqueous solutions by electrochemical methods. First, Ch-capped Au cations were prepared by dissolving Au substrates via electrochemical treatments of oxidation–reduction cycles. Then the Ch-capped Au cations were reduced via sonoelectrochemical reductions to synthesize Ch/Au nanocomposites (NCs). The particle size of prepared Au NPs with predominant (1 1 1) face on Ch is ca. 15 nm. Ch on the prepared Ch/Au NCs can easily react with acetaldehydes in mainstream smokes to form Schiff bases. Then catalysts of Au NPs can instantaneously decompose capped acetaldehydes and oxidize CO into CO 2 to protect people from poisoning in the mainstream smokes.