LAUSR

Abstract Poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) [P(NM)] network with colloidal size was obtained by emulsion polymerization. Chemical reduction of silver nitrate via NaBH4 produced silver nanoparticles within network. Both P(NM) and Ag-P(NM) were characterized. 3-nitroaniline (3-NA) was reduced with NaBH4 in presence of Ag-P(NM) to test its catalytic activity. Catalytic efficacy of Ag-P(NM) was investigated under various conditions of NaBH4, 3-NA and Ag-P(NM). Dependence of rate constant upon NaBH4 and 3-NA describes that 3-NA reduction takes place by following Langmuir Hinshelwood mechanism. Acquired kinetic data verifies that Ag-P(NM) is an efficient catalyst for reduction of 3-NA. Catalytic activity of Ag-P(NM) was found tunable via lead nitrate concentration.