Sonoelectrochemical synthesis of chitosan/gold nanocomposites for application in removing toxic materials in mainstream smokes

In this work, chitosan (Ch)-capped gold nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared in aqueous solutions by electrochemical methods. First, Ch-capped Au cations were prepared by dissolving Au substrates via electrochemical treatments of oxidation–reduction cycles. Then the Ch-capped Au cations were reduced via sonoelectrochemical reductions to synthesize Ch/Au nanocomposites (NCs). The particle size of prepared Au NPs with predominant (1 1 1) face on Ch is ca. 15 nm. Ch on the prepared Ch/Au NCs can easily react with acetaldehydes in mainstream smokes to form Schiff bases. Then catalysts of Au NPs can instantaneously decompose capped acetaldehydes and oxidize CO into CO2 to protect people from poisoning in the mainstream smokes.