Ameliorated microgel for bimetallic Ag/CuO nanoparticles and their expeditious catalytic applications

The production of a new microgel for Ag/CuO bimetallic nanoparticles and the discovery of its rapid catalytic potential in reduction of 4-nitrophenol and methylene blue dye were accomplished. The special microgel matrix of bimetallic nanoparticles was designed to reduce the reaction catalyzing time as reported by other researchers. Graphene oxide was substituted by vinylic group and participated as a monomer in polymerization of microgel. To increase the hydrophilicity of the microgel, the monomer N -hydroxymethyl acrylamide was chosen and acted as a crosslinker instead of conventional divinyl crosslinkers such as divinyl benzene and acrylamide derivatives (methylene- bis -acrylamide). Three grades of nanocomposites were optimized by changing the amount of crosslinker to achieve a suitable platform for rapid catalytic reduction of water pollutants. Microgel and bimetallic nanocomposites were vigorously characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The nanocomposite exhibited excellent catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and methylene blue dye. The catalytic reduction showed pseudo-first-order kinetics with its k app = 10 –2 s −1 and lower NaBH 4 doses. These nanocomposites are excellent materials for catalytic degradation of other pollutants and efficient candidates for effluent treatment of industrial plants. Graphical abstract