Catalytic degradation of methyl orange using bimetallic nanoparticles loaded into poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) microgels

The health of living organisms is greatly endangered by the rising concentration of hazardous substances in water, such as organic dyes. A catalytic system containing bimetallic nanoparticles loaded in polymer microgels was designed to degrade the organic dyes in aqueous medium. First, the poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) [P(NM)] microgel particles were synthesized using free radical precipitation polymerization method, and then Ag/Co nanoparticles were incorporated into the crosslinked network of P(NM) using the in-situ reduction via NaBH4. The P(NM) microgels and Ag/Co nanoparticles encapsulated in P(NM) microgels were characterized by TGA, FTIR, EDX, UV-Vis. and STEM. The catalytic efficiency of Ag/Co-P(NM) towards degradation of methyl orange (MeOr) was evaluated under various reaction conditions. It was found that Ag/Co-P(NM) had remarkable catalytic efficiency. The catalytic efficiency of Ag/Co-P(NM) was found to be 90 % even after recycling process. [Display omitted] •The silver and cobalt nanoparticles loaded into microgels have been synthesized successfully.•Catalytic activity of metal nanoparticles loaded microgels were also studied in detail.•pH responsive behavior of hybrid microgels was also studied.•Catalytic efficiency of Ag/Co nanoparticles loaded microgels was observed after recycling.