Decorating silver nanoparticles on electrospun cellulose nanofibers through a facile method by dopamine and ultraviolet irradiation

In this paper, a new method is introduced for producing multi-functional cellulose nanofibers in order to achieve the biodegradable materials for various applications with a minimal amount of potentially toxic materials. Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were fabricated by electrospinning cellulose acetate solution followed by deacetylation. The CNFs were then treated with silver nitrate, ammonia, and sodium hydroxide and subsequently with dopamine as reducing and adhesive agent. Ag ions on the CNF surface were photo-reduced to Ag nanoparticles (NPs) using UVA irradiation to produce a dense layer of silver nanoparticles on the nanofibers. This is based on the simultaneous formation of polydopamine and Ag NPs on CNFs. Overall, this is a fast, simple, and efficient procedure that takes place in a conventional method at ambient temperature. The crystalline structure of CNFs decorated with AgNPs was studied by X-ray diffraction. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray patterns showed uniform distribution of silver nanoparticles on the CNF surface. Incorporation of AgNPs on the CNF surface via dopamine improved the electrical conductivity and also the tensile strength of the nanomat. The CNFs decorated with AgNPs exhibited a low electrical resistivity around 35 KΩ/square and a tensile strength of 87% higher than untreated CNFs.