Utilization of smart hydrogel-metal composites as catalysis media

Various metal nanoparticles such as, Cu, Co, Ni, and Fe were prepared inside poly(1-vinyl imidazole) p(VI) hydrogel by the absorption of the corresponding metal ions from aqueous solutions and the reduction with suitable reducing agents such as NaBH(4) and/or NaOH. TGA and ICP-AES were used to determine the metal particle content of p(VI)-M (M: Cu, Co, and Ni) composites. The prepared hydrogel-metal nanoparticle composites were proven to be resourceful as reaction container for the catalysis of various organic reactions. It was illustrated that p(VI)-M hydrogel-metal composites can be successfully used in the hydrolysis of NaBH(4) for the generation hydrogen form NaBH(4) and NH(3)BH(3). Additionally, p(VI)-M composites were also illustrated in the catalysis of different organic reactions; e.g., these hydrogel-M are very effective in the reduction nitro aromatic compounds such 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to their corresponding amine forms in the presence of aqueous NaBH(4). Various parameters in the catalysis of hydrogen production and 4-NP reduction were determined.