Fabrication of hollow core–shell conductive nanoparticles based on nanocrystalline cellulose for conductive adhesive

A novel environmentally friendly method was developed to fabricate hollow core–shell conductive nanoparticles using a natural and nontoxic material, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), as the template. The NCC used in this study has nano-scale rod-like structure. After the oxidization to dialdehyde cellulose, the insulated NCC was functionalized by poly(dopamine) (PDA) in weakly alkaline conditions through Schiff base reaction and self-polymerization. The Schiff base can be hydrolyzed in an aqueous acetone solution via ultraviolet radiation so that the hollow structure constructed. This structure not only strengthened the mechanical properties but also provided more active sites for silver deposition. Utilizing the chelating ability of the catechol groups in PDA, electroless plating method was used to form the silver coating layer. Scanning electron microscope and Dynamic Light Scattering measurements indicated that these nanoparticles (NPs) had well-defined morphology and a mean diameter of 100–120 nm. Moreover, these prepared Ag–DA–NCC 0 NPs exhibited excellent conductivity. Their electrical resistivity reached 0.2 mΩ·cm, which is much higher than that of many other conductive particles used in conductive adhesive.