A synergistic strategy for nanoparticle/nanofiber composites towards p-nitrophenol catalytic hydrogenation

Nanoparticle(NP)/nanofiber(NF) composites based on Ag/hydrostable-polyvinyl alcohol were fabricated by a green synergistic strategy via electrospinning. The electrospun NFs served as an in situ reducing agent for the metal salt precursors and a protecting agent for the resulting NPs. Additionallly, during the fomation of the NPs, the water-soluble NFs were in situ oxidized and catalyzed by the metal ions to achieve chemical crosslinking. This two-in-one process achieves polymer curing and metal nanoparticles reducing/protecting synergistically. It eliminates the usage of organic electrospinning solvents, conventional chemical reducing agents and stabilizers, as well as harmful chemical crosslinking agents during the whole process. By the absolutely green synergistic electrospinning, nanoparticle/nanofiber composites with super-hydrophilicity, good hydrostability, as well as uniform and thin particle sizes were obtained. They exhibited enhanced activities when used for catalytic hydrogenation of p-nitrophenol in water.