Core-shell copper hydroxide-polysaccharide composites with hierarchical macroporosity

A new method of preparation of polymeric-inorganic porous nanocomposites with core-shell morphology allowed to stabilise copper hydroxide salts in water. A shell of inorganic salts was formed around microspheres of alginate gel by migration of the metal ions from the core of the particles. The formation of the copper hydroxide nitrate shell was controlled by the kind of mineralisation treatment. The natural polysaccharide was an effective agent of inorganic growth control. The mineral shell stabilised the hydrated polymer gel by considerably limiting the drying and induced the formation of a hierarchical macroporosity when drying the microspheres under supercritical CO2 conditions.