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Biomimetic Approach to Nanomaterials and Their Safer Application in Catalysis and Remediation
Citation:
VARMA, R. S. Biomimetic Approach to Nanomaterials and Their Safer Application in Catalysis and Remediation. Presented at Joint Discussion Group Series, NIST and National Institutes of Health, Gaithersburg, MD, May 12, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public
Description:
Vitamins B1, B2, C, and tea polyphenols which function both as reducing and capping agents, provide extremely simple, one-pot, green synthetic methods to bulk quantities of nanomaterials in water. Shape-controlled synthesis of noble nanostructures via microwave (MW)-assisted spontaneous reduction of noble metal salts using sugars and glutathione will be presented. A general method has been developed that accomplishes the cross-linking reaction of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with metallic systems such as Pt, Cu, and In; bimetallic systems, namely Pt-In, Ag-Pt, Pt-Fe, Cu-Pd, Pt-Pd and Pd-Fe; and SWNT, MWNT, and C-60. The strategy is extended to the formation of biodegradable carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) composite films with noble nanometals; such metal decoration and alignment of carbon nanotubes in CMC is possible using MW approach which also enables the shape-controlled bulk synthesis of Ag and Fe nanorods in poly (ethylene glycol). MW hydrothermal process delivers magnetic nanoferrites and micro-pine structured catalysts are also obtainable in water from readily available metal salts. The eco-friendly generation of magnetic nanoparticles, nanocomposites with renewable polymers and their applications in catalysis and sustainable environmental remediation7 will be highlighted.