Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles in Poly(acrylic acid) Networks and Their Catalytic Activity

Silver nanoparticles with narrow size distribution were prepared in poly(acrylic acid) networks with various amount of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). Effect of sodium borohydride amount on the formation of silver nanoparticles was studied in detail. The size, size distribution, and stability of silver nanoparticles were tunable by the molar ratio of NaBH₄/AgNO₃ when less than 10, while its effect was weakened when it exceeded 10. This phenomenon could be characterized by UV spectrum and TEM. The catalytic activity of silver nanoparticles with various size and size distribution on the reaction of 4-nitrophenol’s reduction was discussed, especially at the appearance of alpha-cyclodextrin.