Synthesis and characterization of Ag–Pd alloy nanoparticles/carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposites

Synthesis of Ag–Pd alloy nanoparticles was carried out with carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals as the scaffolds by reducing metallic cations using NaBH4. Alloy particles with a size less than 10 nm were readily prepared and dispersed well. The average size of alloy nanoparticles decreased as the increasing molar ratio of Ag/Pd. The carboxyl and hydroxyl groups of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals supplied a coordination effect to adsorb metallic cations and alloy nanoparticles to prevent the aggregation of nanoparticles. The carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals as platforms carrying Ag–Pd alloy nanoparticles were used as labels for electrical detection of DNA hybridization.