Inspired
by its unique porous structure, high value-added functional
hydrogels combined with metal nanoparticles can lead to applications
in different areas, including environmental catalysis. For this purpose,
controlling the metal nanoparticle size is paramount. Herein, the
porous lignocellulose hydrogel (LCG) with different lignin contents
served as the matrix for in situ-synthesizing silver–lignin
nanoparticles (Ag-L NPs), with lignin in the LCG as the reducing and
capping agent of Ag-L NPs and the lignin content to control the size
of Ag-L NPs. The well-dispersed lignin in the LCG network ensures
immobilization and dispersion of Ag-L NPs. The particle size of Ag-L
NPs is tailored by adjusting the lignin content (0.5, 6.5, 11.6, and
18.4%) of the LCG: the higher the lignin content, the smaller the
Ag-L NPs. The smallest Ag-L NPs obtained were of 9.5 nm. The as-prepared
Ag-L NPs/LCG composite samples showed outstanding catalytic reduction
capability, with superior stability/reusability when applied for the
catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol. Moreover, the Ag-L NPs/LCG composites
exhibited high antibacterial activity, thus contributing to long-term
storage stability.