Biopolymer templating as synthetic route to functional metal oxidenanoparticles and porous sponges

Abstract

The biopolymers dextran and xyloglucan were used to attenuate structural development of a range of metal oxide materials. Dextran was used to prepare catalytic iron, iron–gold, and cerium–copper oxide porous sponges composed of joined nanoparticles. Zinc oxide sponges and nanoparticles coated with <5 nm gold particles were similarly prepared using xyloglucan which was shown to have potential advantages in terms of synthesis properties and cost.