Fabrication of Thermoresponsive Polymer-Functionalized Cellulose Sponges: Flexible Porous Materials for Stimuli-Responsive Catalytic Systems

In this present work, a thermoresponsive and recyclable catalytic system was prepared by grafting poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PNIPAM-co-PGM) to a cellulose sponge, which was reinforced by polydopamine (PDA) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTMS). Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) were loaded via in situ reduction of HAuCl4 with PDA. Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis results revealed that the Au NPs (<10 nm) were homogenously dispersed on the surface of the sponge. Catalytic experiments with sponges prepared without PNIPAM-co-PGM demonstrated an increased reaction rate when the temperature of the reaction medium was elevated. However, in the presence of PNIPAM-ico-PGM in the sponges, the reaction rate was decreased when the reaction temperature was higher than the lower critical solution temperature of the polymer. The sponge could be conveniently separated from the reactions and reused up to 22 cycles.