Cellulose acetate sheet supported gold nanoparticles for the catalytic reduction of toxic organic pollutants

Abstract Water contamination by toxic organic dyes represents a significant global challenge necessitating effective remediation strategies. Due to their high catalytic activity, considerable attention has been gained to metal-based nanocatalysts. Cellulose acetate sheets supported by gold nanoparticles through a reduction method were synthesized. The composite synthesized material presents a compelling platform for catalytic reduction in the remediation of toxic organic pollutants, ensuring controlled particle size and stability. In this study, the prepared cellulose acetate sheet (CA sheet ) was dipped in a 0.001 M aqueous chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4 ) solution and reduced by immersion in a 0.1 M sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ) aqueous solution. After the successful preparation of virgin cellulose acetate sheet (CA sheet ) and gold-supported cellulose acetate sheet (Au-CA sheet ) samples were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray crystallography (XRD), energy dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The catalytic reduction reaction of toxic compounds i.e. reduction of 4-nitroaniline (4-NA), Congo red (CR), and reactive yellow (RY-42) by using NaBH 4 . The catalytic activity of the Au-CA sheet was exhibited by the reaction rate constant ( k app ) values 0.3189, 0.1596, and 0.1593 min −1 for CR, 4-NA, and RY-42 respectively. This kind of procedure for Au-CA sheet synthesis may be valid for different applications in catalysis, sensing, and environmental application.