In this work, poly (vinylcaprolactum-co-itaconic acid) microgel was prepared by free radical polymerization. Silver nanoparticles were prepared in synthesized microgel networks by in situ reduction of Ag <sup>+</sup> ions which were loaded in microgel from aqueous solution of AgNO<sub>3</sub>. The prepared microgel was characterized by Fourier Transformation Infra Red Spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fluorescence Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Laser Light Scattering, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Swelling behavior of microgel was studied as a function of temperature and pH. The microgel was found to be in swollen state at low temperature and basic medium while in collapsed state at high temperature and acidic medium. A slight decrease in swelling capacity of microgel was observed after the fabrication of silver nanoparticles. A red shift was observed in surface plasmon resonance wavelength of silver nanoparticles with pH induced swelling of microgel. Catalytic activity of the composite microgel was studied by using them as catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. Effects of temperature and catalyst dose were also investigated. Activation energy for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenole was found to be 28.4kJ/mol. The change in catalytic performance and shift in absorption maxima of composite microgel as a function of temperature and pH reveals that this system has potential to be used as tunable catalyst and optical sensor.

Synthesis and characterization of stimuli responsive poly(N-vinylcaprolactum-co-itaconic acid) mcrogel containing silver nanoparticles with tunable optical and catalytic properties

2019 Spring National Meeting

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