Multi-functional organic-inorganic hydrogel microspheres as efficient catalytic system for reduction of toxic dyes in aqueous medium

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylamide-methacrylic acid) [p(NAM)] colloidal particles were synthesized and stabilized in aqueous medium. Ag nanoparticles were fabricated inside the p(NAM) system by in-situ reduction of Ag+ ions with NaBH4 to obtain Ag-p(NAM) organic-inorganic hybrid with fascinating catalytic properties. Various characterization techniques including XRD, FTIR, DLS, TEM and UV-visible spectroscopy were used to confirm the fabrication of p(NAM) and Ag-p(NAM) in aqueous medium. Loading of silver nanoparticles into the p(NAM) does not affect responsive properties of the colloidal system. Ag-p(NAM) system was used as catalyst for reduction of toxic dyes including methyl orange (MO) and Congo red (CR) from aqueous medium. Ag-p(NAM) catalyzed reduction of dyes was carried out under different reaction conditions to explore the catalytic process of degradation. The Ag-p(NAM) catalytic system is recyclable and reusable with almost same catalytic activity up to four cycles.

Automated summary

In this study, p(NAM) colloidal particles were synthesized and an Ag-p(NAM) organic-inorganic hybrid with fascinating catalytic properties was fabricated. The catalytic system showed efficient reduction of toxic dyes from aqueous medium and could be recycled and reused with almost the same catalytic activity.