Mussel-Inspired Green Metallization of Silver Nanoparticles on Cellulose Nanocrystals and Their Enhanced Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol in the Presence of β-Cyclodextrin

A green approach to anchor silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto the surface of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) coated with mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) at room temperature in the absence of a stabilizer and a reducing agent is proposed. The resulting nanohybrids possessed a core–shell structure with numerous "satellites" of silver nanoparticles decorating the CNC surface. The nanocatalyst displayed superior dispersibility over pristine AgNPs and was six times more efficient in catalyzing the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. By associating the CNC hybrid with β-cyclodextrin to promote host–guest interactions, the catalytic process was accelerated. The associated physicochemical parameters associated with the catalytic process were investigated and compared.