Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Based on Bamboo Hemicellulose

Silver nanoparticles were green synthesized in aqueous medium using alkali bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) hemicellulose as stabilizer and glucose as reducing agent. The effect of reaction factors on the formation and storage stability of silver nanoparticles were discussed. The Ag-C compound formed after thermal treatment of silver nanoparticles-hemicellulose compound was characterized. When the other reaction factors were kept as constants, longer reaction time could result in the formation of more silver nanoparticles. However, much long reaction time could stimulate aggregation of silver nanoparticles to form large particles. High concentrations of glucose and hemicellulose, and also high reaction temperature accelerated the formation rate of silver nanoparticles. High amount of hemicellulose resulted in smaller average particle size and narrower range of particle size distribution. The storage stability of silver nanoparticles at 4℃ became stronger when higher amount of hemicellulose was added. The metallic silver and oxided silver coexisted in the Ag-C compound formed after silver nanoparticles-hemicellulose compound was treated at 300℃ for 1 h under air atmosphere. The electronegative groups including a large number of free hydroxyl groups and a small number of carboxyl groups in the hemicellulose may play an important role in the formation of silver nanoparticles.