Rapid microwave-assisted preparation and characterization of cellulose–silver nanocomposites

A simple, rapid, and efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of cellulose–silver nanocomposites with silver nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in the cellulose matrix using cellulose solution, AgNO3 and ascorbic acid in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) is reported. The cellulose solution was prepared by the dissolution of microcrystalline cellulose in a solvent system of lithium chloride (LiCl)/DMAc. The effects of the microwave heating times and ascorbic acid concentration on the nanocomposites were investigated. The microstructure, size, morphology, and thermal properties of these nanocomposites were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the ascorbic acid concentration played an important role in the phase of the nanocomposites. This work provided a promising way to prepare cellulose–silver nanocomposites with good dispersity.