We report a one-step and environment-friendly synthesis of platinum nanoparticles with controlled shapes and sizes using wood nanomaterials in aqueous phase without employing any other reductants, capping or dispersing agents. This green process affords an easy route to the production of shape-selective metal nanoparticles. The obtained spherical and cubic Pt nanoparticles and spherical Pt nanoclusters exhibit high activities in the catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol as a model reaction.

The efficient utilization of crop waste is limited because of the plant cell wall recalcitrance. Solving this problem through sustainable processing, meanwhile producing value-added products, is crucial. Here we report a rapid lignocellulose fractionation method, applied to common reed, using milling under mild alkaline conditions without involving any organic solvents or other reagents. Lignin-containing cellulose nanofibers (LCNF) and native-like lignin were obtained in high yield. LCNF films prepared from the LCNF suspension could have their properties, such as transparency and hydrophobicity, adjusted by changing the pretreatment conditions. Overall, this biomass fractionation provides value-added products and is a successful alternative to simply burning the crop waste.

A facile method was developed to produce functionalized cellulose nanofibers in one step by ball milling. Through the synergy of mechanical and chemical actions, the produced cellulose nanofibers are ca. 20 nm wide and several micrometers long, with surface properties tailored by choice of modifying reagent. Modified by succinic anhydride, a cellulose nanofiber shows enhanced hydrophilicity, can be readily dispersed in water or DMSO, and gives a zeta potential of −38.7 mV due to carboxyl groups on the surface. Modified by dodecyl succinic anhydride, a cellulose nanofiber has excellent dispersibility in o-xylene and good compatibility with polyethylene. The polyethylene-cellulose nanofiber composite presents overall enhancement of mechanical properties. This method opens a new way to the production of functionalized cellulose nanofibers.