Abstract
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•The microgels were synthesized by using free radical emulsion polymerization.•Silver nanoparticles were loaded inside the microgels by in-situ reduction of AgNO3.•The hybrid microgel system is made of non-flexible core and flexible corona region.•The hybrid microgels were used as a catalysts for the reduction of 4-Nitroaniline.
Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate-acrylic acid) [P(NHA)] colloidal particles of core-shell morphology were obtained by free radical emulsion polymerization. Loading of Silver nanoparticles within P(NHA) colloidal particles was attained by in-situ reduction. P(NHA) and Ag-P(NHA) particles were characterized by UV–Vis and TEM. For probing catalytic ability of Ag-P(NHA) hybrid particles, catalytic reduction of 4-Nitroaniline (4-NA) was carried out as an exemplary reaction. Ag-P(NHA) hybrid particles served as an exceptional nano-catalyst for reduction of 4-NA. Comparison of current study with academic literature proves that our system provides rapid and simple approach for efficient and cost-effective reduction of 4-NA in aqueous condition.