A sphere-on-sphere structure: Cu nanoparticles grown on cellulose microspheres for the removal of environmental contaminants

Abstract

Herein, sphere-on-sphere (SOS) structural Cu@porous cellulose microspheres (SOS Cu@PCMs) are successfully synthesized by a space-confined reduction strategy with nano-sized Cu particles grown on PCMs. Typically, the customized PCMs matrix is epoxically modified by epichlorohydrin (EPI) and subsequently grafted by glycine, endowing PCMs with an ability to chelate Cu2+. After subsequent reduction reaction by N2H4·H2O, an innovative SOS structural Cu@PCMs are successfully acquired (specific surface area: 230.68 m2 g−1, average diameter: 41.00 μm and average pore diameter: 39.78 nm). The SOS structure not only protects hierarchical porous structure to enhance mass transfer but also facilitates industrial operability and recyclability of Cu. Benefit from the SOS structure, Cu@PCMs perform exceptionally well in facilitating the degradation of water contaminants, such as 4-nitrophenol (apparent rate constant of −0.009 s−1, removal within 240 s) and azo dyes (degradation within 240 s for methyl orange, methylene blue and congo red). Above all, the SOS structural Cu@PCMs present a highly promising candidate in the field of wastewater remediation.