Photochemical synthesis of Ag nanobars and their potential application as catalyst

• Anisotropic Ag nanoparticles were synthesized using HPMC and SA as soft template.
• Distinct colors as well as SPR band for anisotropic Ag nanoparticles were observed.
• Catalytic activity of Ag nanoparticles was monitored by the reduction of 4-NP to 4-AP.
• SA stabilized Ag nanobars has higher catalytic activity than HPMC stabilized nanobars.

Monodispersed sodium alginate (SA) stabilized silver nano bar and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) stabilized silver nano bar have been synthesized by photochemical method. The nanoparticles are characterized by UV–VIS–NIR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) study. Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by sodium borohydride in presence of nanoparticles is also evaluated. The kinetic data obtained by monitoring the change in UV–Vis absorption spectra of 4-NP are explained by Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. It is observed that the rate of reduction is higher in SA stabilized Ag nano bar than the HPMC stabilized Ag nano bar.

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