Abstract
Poly(styrene@N-isopropylmethacrylamide-methacrylic acid) [P (St-NM)] microgels were prepared via seed facilitated emulsion polymerization process. In situ reduction of silver ions was carried out to generate Ag nanoparticles in the voids of shell region of polymer microgels. Synthesized P (St-NM) and Ag-P (St-NM) particles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The stability of Ag nanoparticles within P (St-NM) system over the wide range of pH and temperature is also a part of this study. Thus, prepared Ag-P (St-NM) was tested for its catalytic efficiency against reduction of K2Cr2O7 using formic acid (FA) as reductant. Factors affecting catalytic efficiency of Ag-P (St-NM) system towards transformation of Cr+6 to Cr+3 were investigated. Other toxic chemicals can also be reduced using same catalytic system.