A facile one-pot synthesis of cellulose-templated copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) is demonstrated.
Cu NPs were formed in situ by adsorption of copper ions onto cellulose followed reduction.
Nucleation of Cu crystallites with size of 20 nm into Cu NPs in the size range of 200–500 nm was detected.
The prepared cellulose-Cu NP hybrid material displayed strong antibacterial properties.