Phyto-Assisted Assembly of Metal Nanoparticles in Chitosan Matrix Using S. argel Leaf Extract and Its Application for Catalytic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

The design and synthesis of eco-friendly solid-supported metal nanoparticles with remarkable stability and catalytic performance have gained much attention for both industrial and environmental applications. This study provides a novel, low-cost, simple, and eco-friendly approach for decorating cross-linked chitosan with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), greenly prepared with Solenostemma argel (S. argel) leaf extract under mild conditions. Glutaraldehyde-modified chitosan beads were used to coordinate with Au(III) ions and act as stabilizing agents, and S. argel leaf extract was used as a cost-effective phyto-reducing agent to reduce gold ions to elemental Au nanoparticles. The successful cross-linking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde, the coordination of Au(III) ions into the chitosan matrix, and the phytochemical reduction of Au(III) to Au nanoparticles were investigated via FT-IR spectroscopy. The obtained Au nanoparticles have a uniform spherical shape and size <10 nm, as confirmed by both X-ray diffraction (XRD) (~8.8 nm) and TEM (6.0 ± 3 nm). The uniformity of the AuNPs’ size was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transition Electron Microscopy (TEM). The powder X-ray diffraction technique showed crystalline AuNPs with a face-centered cubic structure. The elemental analysis and the Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis both confirmed the successful integration of Au nanoparticles with the chitosan network. The catalytic activity of this highly stable nanocomposite was systematically investigated via the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. Results showed a remarkable conversion (97%) and excellent selectivity (99%) in the formation of benzaldehyde over other side products.