Microwave-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles using poly-N-isopropylacrylamide/acrylic acid microgel particles

Microgel particles based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) were prepared by emulsion polymerization in the presence of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide. The microwave technique was adopted for the preparation of highly stable and monodisperse silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using these microgels as a template via in situ reduction of silver nitrate in the presence of glucose as a reducing agent. The prepared NPs were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform IR, and X-ray diffraction. The formation of Ag NPs was confirmed by the appearance of a surface plasmon absorption maximum at 429 nm. TEM showed that the spherical particles had an average diameter of 8.5 nm. The as-prepared Ag NPs were stable for more than 8 months at room temperature.

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► Microwave technique was adopted to prepare Ag nanoparticles in an aqueous microgel solution containing N-isopropylacrylamide/acrylic acid.
► Highly stable and monodisperse Ag nanoparticles of an average diameter of 8.5 nm were prepared.
► A mild reducing agent, glucose was involved to reduce metal ions to metal nanoparticles.