Abstract
In the present investigation, a series of (polyvinyl pyrrolidone/acrylic acid) (PVP/AAc) hydrogels were synthesized using gamma irradiation as super clean source for polymerization and crosslinking. Silver nanoparticles were deposited within (PVP/AAc) hydrogels as supporting matrices by means of in situ reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) as Ag+ ions precursor using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a reducing agent. UV–Vis spectroscopy and TEM image analysis confirmed the nanoscale size of the Ag° nanoparticles (NPs). (PVP/AAc)-Ag° nanocomposites were systematically characterized using XRD, EDX, and TGA techniques. The presence of Ag NPs increases the thermal stability of the obtained nanocomposite as confirmed by TGA studies. The developed nanocomposites show enhanced catalytic activity toward the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol as a model of hazardous anthropogenic materials in the presence of NaBH4 as a reducing agent. The catalytic performance proceeds with conversion yield exceeding 99% almost within 5 min depending on the amount of the loaded Ag NPs. Additionally, (PVP/AAc)-Ag° nanocomposites show efficient antimicrobial activity against different microbial strains which suggesting their use as potential disinfection during waste water treatment.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
