Increased Ag nanoparticles stability through cellulose nanofibrils coatings

The study presents the possibility of covering Ag nanoparticles in solutuon with cellulose with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs)and oxidized cellulose nanofibrils, termed TEMPO (TCNFs)in order to increase their dispersility and stability over time. The chemical composition of the prepared hybrid complexes was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. DLS investigation highlighted the increased stability in time of AgNPs after their covering with cellulose nanofibrils derivatives. Moreover, good results were obtained after covering the AgNPs in solution with TCNFs, a phenomenon explained by the presence of carboxylic groups (introduced during the TEMPO compound formation) capable of supplementary/ additional physical bonds establishment. Optical microscopy images of the hybrid solutions deposited on microscope slides evidenced the modification of the surface morphology films and attested the silver nanoparticle presence. Thus, while the increase of the dispersive stability of AgNPs is achieved, an antimicrobial chaeacter for the cellulose nanofibrils is acquired.