Cryogelation of Chitosan Using Noble-Metal Ions: In Situ Formation of Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT: One of the purposes of the project was to develop the method of preparation of 3D macroporous hydrogel with a structure of interconnected pores by the use of noncovalent interactions. The combination of chitosan and noble-metal complexes was investigated as cross-linking agents for the preparation of ionic cryogels (ICs). Furthermore, the treatment of the ICs containing gold complex by glutaralde-hyde results in spontaneous formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and chemical cross-linking of the cryogel. The characterization of prepared macroporous materials was carried out by the use of FTIR, SEM, TEM techniques, and texture analyzer. A new strategy for control of size distribution of AuNPs was suggested. The size distribution of obtained AuNPs and their population inside of walls of cryogels was estimated. A method for quantifying unreacted chloroauric acid in the presence of acetic acid was proposed. The possibility of use of prepared cryogels with immobilized AuNPs as a catalytic flow through reactor is shown