Poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel microparticles fabricated with silver nanoparticles: synthesis,characterization, and catalytic applications

This work narrates the synthesis of poly (acrylic acid) hydrogel microparticles (PAAHMPs), fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) inside the structure of the prepared PAAHMPs and catalytic applications of PAAHMPs fabricated with AgNPs (PAAHMPs/AgNPs). The PAAHMPs were prepared by inverse suspension polymerization technique while fabrication of AgNPs was carried out by chemical reduction method using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as reducing agent. The identification of functional groups in bare PAAHMPs and in the PAAHMPs/AgNPs composite system was carried out by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The size and morphology of the prepared hydrogel and its composite was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analyzer was also used to characterize the bare PAAHMPs and PAAHMPs/AgNPs composite. The prepared PAAHMPs/AgNPs composite was used as catalyst for the reduction of nitro aromatic pollutants and an industrial dye, that is, 4-Nitrophenol (4-NP), 2-Nitrophenol (2-NP) and methyl orange. No loss in catalytic activity was noted in seven consecutive cycles of recycling process while only 37.5% loss in catalytic activity was observed upon storing the catalyst for 90 days.