Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Synthesis of iron nanoparticles in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid) hybrid microgels for catalytic reduction of series of organic pollutants: a first approach

  • Research paper
  • Published:
Journal of Nanoparticle Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

First approach towards in situ synthesis of iron (Fe) nanoparticles within poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid) (p(NIPAM-AA)) microgel is established in this work. Morphology, size, and size distribution of Fe-p(NIPAM-AA) hybrid microgel are confirmed by FTIR, STEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Size of majority of Fe nanoparticles lies in 5–25-nm range, and very few nanoparticles lie in 30–40-nm range. Reduction of series of substrates with similar and dissimilar chemical structure is catalyzed by synthesized Fe-p(NIPAM-AA) hybrid microgel. Catalytic activity of hybrid microgel towards various substrates is studied by comparing their apparent rate constant (kapp), reduction time, and percentage reduction. Catalytic activity of hybrid microgel towards reduction of nitroarenes is observed higher than that of azo dyes. Repulsion among carboxyl groups (COOH) of AA facilitated the flux of substrates inside the microgel network. Significant difference among kapp, reduction time, and percentage reduction of all substrates is observed. kapp of crystal violet is observed maximum among all substrates. Percentage conversion of 4-nitroanisole is observed highest among all substrates. Similar values of kapp, reduction time, and reduction percentage of all nitrophenols are obtained, while significant difference in values of kapp, reduction time, and reduction percentage of all azo dyes is observed. Catalytic reduction of all substrates is compared on the basis of orientation of functional groups, presence of bulky groups, and number of bonds to be reduced.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abid HR, Shang J, Ang H-M, Wang S (2013) Amino-functionalized Zr-MOF nanoparticles for adsorption of CO2 and CH4. Int J Smart Nano Mater 4:72–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharjee A, Ahmaruzzaman M, Sinha T (2015) A novel approach for the synthesis of SnO2 nanoparticles and its application as a catalyst in the reduction and photodegradation of organic compounds. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spec 136:751–760

  • Bhattacharya S, Eckert F, Boyko V, Pich A (2007) Temperature, pH, and magnetic-field -sensitive hybrid microgels. Small 3:650–657

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biffis A, Cunial S, Spontoni P, Prati L (2007) Microgel-stabilized gold nanoclusters: powerful “quasi-homogeneous” catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water. J Catal 251:1–6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calace N, Nardi E, Petronio B, Pietroletti M (2002) Adsorption of phenols by papermill sludges. Environ Pollut 118:315–319

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang PR, Yu J, Ma X, Anderson DP (2011) Polysaccharides as stabilizers for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles. Carbohydr Polym 83:640–644

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Fang Q, Zhou L, Xu Z, Qiu J, Wang M, Wang J (2019) Comparative study of cross-linked and linear thermo-responsive carriers supported palladium nanoparticles in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol: structure, catalytic activity and responsive catalysis property. React Func Polym 142:104–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dong Z, Le X, Li X, Zhang W, Dong C, Ma J (2014) Silver nanoparticles immobilized on fibrous nano-silica as highly efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for reduction of 4-nitrophenol and 2-nitroaniline. Appl Catal B Environ 158:129–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edison TJI, Sethuraman M (2013) Biogenic robust synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Punica granatum peel and its application as a green catalyst for the reduction of an anthropogenic pollutant 4-nitrophenol. Spectrochim Acta Part A Mol Biomol Spec 104:262–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eslami S, Ebrahimzadeh MA, Biparva P (2018) Green synthesis of safe zero valent iron nanoparticles by Myrtus communis leaf extract as an effective agent for reducing excessive iron in iron-overloaded mice, a thalassemia model. RSC Adv 8:26144–26155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farooqi ZH, Khan SR, Hussain T, Begum R, Ejaz K, Majeed S, Ajmal M, Kanwal F, Siddiq M (2014) Effect of crosslinker feed content on catalaytic activity of silver nanoparticles fabricated in multiresponsive microgels. Korean J Chem Eng 31:1674–1680

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farooqi ZH, Naseem K, Begum R, Ijaz A (2015a) Catalytic reduction of 2-nitroaniline in aqueous medium using silver nanoparticles functionalized polymer microgels. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 25:1554–1568

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farooqi ZH, Sakhawat T, Khan SR, Kanwal F, Usman M, Begum R (2015b) Synthesis, characterization and fabrication of copper nanoparticles in N-isopropylacrylamide based co-polymer microgels for degradation of p-nitrophenol. Mater Sci Poland 33:185–192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu Y, Xu P, Huang D, Zeng G, Lai C, Qin L, Li B, He J, Yi H, Cheng M (2019) Au nanoparticles decorated on activated coke via a facile preparation for efficient catalytic reduction of nitrophenols and azo dyes. Appl Surf Sci 473:578–588

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh BK, Hazra S, Naik B, Ghosh NN (2015) Preparation of Cu nanoparticle loaded SBA-15 and their excellent catalytic activity in reduction of variety of dyes. Powder Technol 269:371–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang X, El-Sayed MA (2010) Gold nanoparticles: optical properties and implementations in cancer diagnosis and photothermal therapy. J Adv Res 1:13–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson R, Ishikawa S, Li CJ, Moores A (2013) Magnetically recoverable CuFe2O4 nanoparticles as highly active catalysts for Csp3–Csp and Csp3–Csp3 oxidative cross-dehydrogenative coupling. Syn Lett 24:1637–1642

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ismail M, Khan M, Khan SB, Akhtar K, Khan MA, Asiri AM (2018) Catalytic reduction of picric acid, nitrophenols and organic azo dyes via green synthesized plant supported Ag nanoparticles. J Mol Liq 268:87–101

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karg M, Pastoriza-Santos I, Rodriguez-Gonzalez B, von Klitzing R, Wellert S, Hellweg T (2008) Temperature, pH, and ionic strength induced changes of the swelling behavior of PNIPAM− poly (allylacetic acid) copolymer microgels. Langmuir 24:6300–6306

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan SR, Farooqi ZH, Waheed uz Z, Ali A, Begum R, Kanwal F, Siddiq M (2016) Kinetics and mechanism of reduction of nitrobenzene catalyzed by silver-poly(N-isopropylacryl amide-co-allylacetic acid) hybrid microgels. Mater Chem Phys 171:318–327

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YY, Liu XY, Yang JM, Lin DL, Chen X, Zha LS (2012) Investigation of Ag nanoparticles loading temperature responsive hybrid microgels and their temperature controlled catalytic activity. Colloid Surf A 393:105–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Huitle CA, Ferro S (2006) Electrochemical oxidation of organic pollutants for the wastewater treatment: direct and indirect processes. Chem Soc Rev 35:1324–1340

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naseem K, Begum R, Farooqi ZH (2018) Platinum nanoparticles fabricated multiresponsive microgel composites: synthesis, characterization, and applications. Polym Compos 39:2167–2180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ott WR, Roberts JW (1998) Everyday exposure to toxic pollutants. Sci Am 278:86–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pawar RC, Khare V, Lee CS (2014) Hybrid photocatalysts using graphitic carbon nitride/cadmium sulfide/reduced graphene oxide (gC3N4/CdS/RGO) for superior photodegradation of organic pollutants under UV and visible light. Dalton Trans 43:12514–12527

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pich A, Karak A, Lu Y, Ghosh AK, Adler HJP (2006a) Tuneable catalytic properties of hybrid microgels containing gold nanoparticles. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 6:3763–3769

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pich A, Karak A, Lu Y, Ghosh AK, Adler HJP (2006b) Preparation of hybrid microgels functionalized by silver nanoparticles. Macromol Rapid Commun 27:344–350

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pouretedal H, Sabzevari S (2011) Photodegradation study of Congo red, methyl orange, methyl red and methylene blue under simulated solar irradiation catalyzed by ZnS/CdS nanocomposite. Desalin Water Treat 28:247–254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar S, Banerjee A, Halder U, Biswas R, Bandopadhyay R (2017) Degradation of synthetic azo dyes of textile industry: a sustainable approach using microbial enzymes. Water Cons Sci Eng 2:121–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shah LA, Haleem A, Sayed M, Siddiq M (2016) Synthesis of sensitive hybrid polymer microgels for catalytic reduction of organic pollutants. J Environ Chem Eng 4:3492–3497

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shahid M, Farooqi ZH, Begum R, Arif M, Wu W, Irfan A (2019) Hybrid microgels for catalytic and photocatalytic removal of nitroarenes and organic dyes from aqueous medium: a review. Crit Rev Anal Chem:1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408347.2019.1663148

  • Shi X, Wang SH, Swanson SD, Ge S, Cao Z, Van Antwerp ME, Landmark KJ, Baker JR Jr (2008) Dendrimer-functionalized shell-crosslinked iron oxide nanoparticles for in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging of tumors. Adv Mater 20:1671–1678

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soğukömeroğulları HG, Karataş Y, Celebi M, Gülcan M, Sönmez M, Zahmakiran M (2019) Palladium nanoparticles decorated on amine functionalized graphene nanosheets as excellent nanocatalyst for the hydrogenation of nitrophenols to aminophenol counterparts. J Hazard Mater 369:96–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulbrich K, Hola K, Subr V, Bakandritsos A, Tucek J, Zboril R (2016) Targeted drug delivery with polymers and magnetic nanoparticles: covalent and noncovalent approaches, release control, and clinical studies. Chem Rev 116:5338–5431

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Veerakumar P, Chen SM, Madhu R, Veeramani V, Hung CT, Liu SB (2015) Nickel nanoparticle-decorated porous carbons for highly active catalytic reduction of organic dyes and sensitive detection of Hg (II) ions. ACS Appl Mater Interf 7:24810–24821

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Velayudhan Nair Girija V, Vasu S (2019) Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles by thermal decomposition method of iron (III) chelates. Int J Nanosci Nanotechnol 15:65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Chen B (2015) Adsorption and coadsorption of organic pollutants and a heavy metal by graphene oxide and reduced graphene materials. Chem Eng J 281:379–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu W, Shen J, Li Y, Zhu H, Banerjee P, Zhou S (2012) Specific glucose-to-SPR signal transduction at physiological pH by molecularly imprinted responsive hybrid microgels. Biomaterials 33:7115–7125

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wunder S, Lu Y, Albrecht M, Ballauff M (2011) Catalytic activity of faceted gold nanoparticles studied by a model reaction: evidence for substrate-induced surface restructuring. ACS Catal 1:908–916

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamjala K, Nainar MS, Ramisetti NR (2016) Methods for the analysis of azo dyes employed in food industry–a review. Food Chem 192:813–824

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo SI, Kwon JH, Sohn BH (2007) Single layers of diblock copolymer micelles for the fabrication of arrays of nanoparticles. J Mater Chem 17:2969–2975

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Zhang J, Cheng Z, Xu J (2011) Morphology dependence effect of CuO nanostructures on their Cl2 sensing properties. Sens Lett 9:175–178

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

All authors are grateful to Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Shanza Rauf Khan, Burhan Ullah, Saba Jamil & Tanzeela Zanib

  2. Department of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Sarmed Ali

  3. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, 14853, USA

    Saba Jamil

Authors
  1. Shanza Rauf Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sarmed Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Burhan Ullah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Saba Jamil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Tanzeela Zanib
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shanza Rauf Khan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Khan, S.R., Ali, S., Ullah, B. et al. Synthesis of iron nanoparticles in poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid) hybrid microgels for catalytic reduction of series of organic pollutants: a first approach. J Nanopart Res 22, 192 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-020-04924-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-020-04924-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation