Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of co-polymer hydrogels based on (3-acrylamidopropyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride and acrylonitrile as reusable nanocatalyst

Cationic poly(acrylonitril-co-acrylamidopropyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride) (p(AN-co-APTMACl)) hydrogels in bulk were synthesized using acrylonitrile (AN) and 3-acrylamidopropyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride (APTMACl) as monomers. The chemical structure of the synthesized (p(AN-co-APTMACl)) macroporous hydrogel was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). P(AN-co-APTMACl) was successfully utilized for the in situ synthesis and stabilization of silver nanoparticles within the hydrogel matrix. These hydrogel composites were characterized by FTIR, and field-emission SEM , transmission electron microscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy . The morphology of p(AN-co-APTMACl) reveals the formation of homogeneous and highly porous material. Catalytic activity of p(AN-co-APTMACl)-Ag catalyst was investigated in the aerobic oxidation of olefins, reduction of 4-nitrophenol and hydrolysis of sodium borohydride by the emphasis on the effects of different parameters such as temperature, substituent effect, etc. The catalyst was easily recovered from the reaction medium and it could be re-used for other five runs without significant loss of activity.