Ni nanoparticle-carbonized bacterial cellulose composites for the catalytic reduction of highly toxic aqueous Cr(VI)

Abstract

In this work, we report a facile technique to prepare Ni nanoparticle-carbonized bacterial cellulose (Ni@CBC) composites by pyrolysis bacterial cellulose adsorbing corresponding nickel(II) nitrates. The introduction of carbonized bacterial cellulose served as a reductant for the conversion of Ni(II) to Ni as well as a support for Ni NPs to prevent the agglomeration. The synthesized composite material was tested as a catalyst to reduce toxic Cr(VI) to Cr(III) at room temperature, and UV–Vis spectrophotometry was employed to monitor the reduction process. According to the results, the Ni@CBC material showed good stability and highly catalytic activity at room temperature.