A study of the catalytic ability of in situ prepared AgNPs–PMAA–PVP electrospun nanofibers

Abstract

The catalysis of nanomaterials is interesting and attractive. Herein, electrospinning was employed to afford poly(methyl acrylate) (PMAA)–poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) electrospun nanofibers. Next, in situ photosynthesis resulted in the formation of a uniform assembly of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) over the electrospun fibers, generating AgNPs–PMAA–PVP electrospun nanofibers. The as-formed AgNPs–PMAA–PVP electrospun nanofibers were utilized for investigating the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the presence of NaBH₄. For the in situ synthesis, the available light sources used included sunlight, table lamps, and 365 nm UV lamps. The results showed that the AgNPs–PMAA–PVP electrospun nanofibers could catalyze the reduction of 4-NP in the presence of NaBH₄, generating 4-aminophenol (4-AP), therefore reducing the toxicity of 4-NP. After the use of the AgNPs–PMAA–PVP electrospun nanofibers for up to 4 cycles, the catalytic efficiency remained as high as 90%, suggesting that the noble metal/polymeric electrospun nanofibrous catalyst is highly effective and reusable.