Catalytic degradation of methyl orange using bimetallic nanoparticles loaded into poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) microgels

The health of living organisms is greatly endangered by the rising concentration of hazardous substances in water, such as organic dyes. A catalytic system containing bimetallic nanoparticles loaded in polymer microgels was designed to degrade the organic dyes in aqueous medium. First, the poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) [P (NM)] microgel particles were synthesized using free radical precipitation polymerization method, and then Ag/ Co nanoparticles were incorporated into the crosslinked network of P(NM) using the in-situ reduction via NaBH4. The P(NM) microgels and Ag/Co nanoparticles encapsulated in P(NM) microgels were characterized by TGA, FTIR, EDX, UV-Vis. and STEM. The catalytic efficiency of Ag/Co-P(NM) towards degradation of methyl orange (MeOr) was evaluated under various reaction conditions. It was found that Ag/Co-P(NM) had remarkable catalytic efficiency. The catalytic efficiency of Ag/Co-P(NM) was found to be 90 % even after recycling process.

Automated summary

A catalytic system containing bimetallic nanoparticles loaded in polymer microgels was designed to degrade organic dyes in water. The system showed remarkable catalytic efficiency, even after recycling, with a degradation rate of 90%.