Abstract
The present study details the catalytic reduction of water pollutants (Methylene blue). In this research, the synthesis of microgels was achieved through free-radical emulsion polymerization techniques employing HEMA monomer as a crosslinker. Three different grades of microgel have synthesized by varying the amount of N-vinyl caprolactam. Copper-oxide nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into polymeric microgels through hydrothermal methods for catalytic reduction applications. Characterization of both microgels and microgel-nanoparticle composites was conducted using various techniques like as: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-Ray diffraction (Powder XRD) Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic reduction of methylene blue (MB) was characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectrometry. The catalytic reduction efficiency of the dye was measured by optimizing the parameter effect of crosslinking, temperature responsive monomer feed, temperature and amount of reducing agent (NaBH4). Microgel nanocomposites respond to efficient catalysis at higher NVCL feed with moderate dose of NABH4.