Solvent-free Approaches to Nanoparticles Synthesis and Polymer Functionalization and Plasmonic Catalytic Hydrogenation Reactions

Abstract: Nanomaterials are intensely researched for their powerful properties applicable in the broad fields of medicine, electronics, optics and catalysis. We developed a novel synthetic method for the scalable production of metal and metal sulfide NPs under solvent-free, mechanochemical conditions. The synthesis of Au NPs provided access to monodisperse and ultra-small NPs in the size range of 1–4 nm, without external reducing agents or bulk solvents.1 Using lignin as a biomass-based reducer, we could access embedded NPs of Au, Ru, Pd and Re.2 With Ag, this method gave access to antibacterial filters in a simplified fashion.3 We also explored the synthesis of metal sulfide with similar Bi2S3 nanoparticles were easily synthesized by mechanochemical activation from molecular precursors and cysteine as a sulfur source, followed by aging to afford X-ray active materials. These materials are exciting candidates for cancer detection.4 In last examples, I’ll illustrate how mechanochemistry and aging techniques may be used towards the efficient functional of man-made and biomass based polymers, such as cellulose nanocrystals5 and chitin.6

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