Functional poly (acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) super hydrogels integrated with silver-decorated recycled nano tungsten...

This study reports the development of an efficient and structurally robust functional hybrid hydrogel composed of a Poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) matrix, reinforced with silver-decorated recycled nano-tungsten oxide (Ag-WO₃) composites. To ensure structural longevity and eliminate secondary pollution risks, the recycled nanoparticles derived from industrial scrap were modified via an eco-friendly photo-reduction method and covalently tethered to the polymer backbone using a vinyltrimethoxysilane coupling agent. FT-IR analysis confirmed successful interfacial chemical grafting, which acted as a nano-skeleton reinforcement. Consequently, a dramatic increase in mechanical robustness was achieved, with surface hardness rising from 43 Shore A for the pristine hydrogel to 80 Shore A for the dense hybrid network. Crucially, the hybrid system exhibited exceptional chemo-structural stability across a broad pH spectrum (3-11), maintaining a gel content exceeding 90% with nearly zero detectable leaching or turbidity. Functionally, the Ag-WO₃ integrated hydrogel serves as a potent dual-action platform for wastewater purification, achieving 86.5% photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue dye under UV irradiation within 60 min, alongside an outstanding 99.98% antibacterial eradication rate against Escherichia coli. By transforming industrial metallurgical scrap into a high-value environmental catalyst, this research offers a sustainable, non-leaching, and scalable platform for advanced wastewater decontamination, directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production).