Silver hybridized polymer nanocomposite for efficient encapsulation of toxic dye from aqueous solution

This work synthesized eco-friendly silver hybridized polymer nanocomposite (Ag@PNC) via a free radical mechanism. The Ag@PNC consists of a network of starch grafted to vinyl acetate (VA), lactic acid (LA), and Methylmethacrylate (MMA), which was reinforced with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The effect of incorporation of AgNPs into composite and properties was studied using different techniques, i.e., FTIR, SEM, EDS, and TGA/DTG. The SEM analysis indicates that the pore size of the Ag@PNC decreased with the blending of AgNPs, increasing the composite adsorption capacity and thermal stability. The FTIR confirms the grafting of monomers on starch and thermal degradation and melting of the composite assessed by TGA/DTG. Further, the adsorption kinetics and isotherm data indicate that the pseudo-second-order ( R 2 = 0.9898) and Langmuir adsorption isotherm ( R 2 = 0.99829) are suitable for the composite with a maximum adsorption capacity of 561.2563 mg/g. These results indicate the potential of synthesized nanocomposite in water treatment at a low cost with efficient reusability.