Ag impregnated sub-micrometer crystalline jute cellulose particles: Catalytic and antibacterial properties

This work discussed the preparation of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) and AgNPs impregnated sub-micrometer crystalline jute cellulose (SCJC) particles using a green synthetic bioreduction method. The ultimate nanocomposite particles were named as SCJC/Ag. The crystalline structure of AgNPs was maintained in SCJC/Ag nanocomposte particles. The catalytic efficiency of SCJC/Ag nanocomposite particles were evaluated for the degradation of congo red (CR) and methylene blue (MB) using NaBH₄ as reducing agent. A complete degradation of 20 mL of each CR (0.1 mM) and MB (0.05 mM) dye solution was achieved within 14 min when 0.005 mg mL^-1 of SCJC/Ag nanocomposite particles was employed. SCJC/Ag nanocomposite particles also exhibited moderate antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella boydii and the results were comparable with those of the reference AgNPs. SCJC/Ag nanocomposite particles were the most effective against Escherichia coli (E. coli) with minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.014 mg mL^-1.