Electrodeposited Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Based Green Preparation of Nanosilver With Adjustable Sizes and Nanocomposite Films Through Controlling Electrodeposition Conditions

Electrodeposition of polysaccharides offers an attractive strategy for fabricating nanoparticles and their nanocomposite films on electrodes to develop bioelectronic devices and functional materials. Herein, a controllable approach for the green preparation of nanosilver (nAg) with variable sizes and nanocomposite films is developed based on the coordinated electrodeposition of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In addition to serving as the electrodeposited polysaccharide, CMC can function as the reducing agent and stabilizer for preparing nAg. After the electrodeposition, the uniform and smooth nanocomposite films (nAg/CMC nanocomposite films) have been deposited on the anodic electrode. Spectral analysis and transmission electron microscopy confirm the presence of nAg in the nanocomposite films. Especially, the preparation of nAg with adjustable particle sizes (ranging from 2.03 to 13.62 nm) can be achieved through the straightforward and convenient control of electrodeposition conditions (voltage, temperature). Moreover, the nanocomposite films can be endowed with unique fluorescent properties since silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) with a relatively small size can be controllably prepared. The nAg/CMC nanocomposite film-modified electrodes show the potential for electrochemical detection and that the nanocomposite film containing the small-sized Ag NCs exhibits a relatively good detection sensitivity. Thus, this study provides a novel, facile, controllable, and eco-friendly electrodeposition strategy that can be promisingly applied to prepare nanoparticles and their functional nanocomposites with specific particle sizes and special properties.