Fabrication of Au-polymer hybrid colloids via a pH-modulated in situ reduction process for improved catalytic activity

Abstract

Article highlights • A novel functional microgel is tailored for the reduction and stabilization of Au(III) into Au nanoparticles. • The reduction process is switched by adjusting the base volume to generate Au nanoparticles with gradually varied absorption spectra. • The fabricated Au-polymer hybrids exhibit excellent catalytic activity towards 4-nitrophenol dyes.

Keywords

• Au nanoparticles
• Hybrid microgels
• In situ synthesis
• Dye molecules
• Catalytic reduction