Synergies between polyacrylamide polymerization and nanoparticle generation using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet. Issue 11 (5th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gangal, Urvashi; Exarhos, Stephen; Contreras, Tristan; Rich, Christopher C.; Dolan, Kay; Yang, Vincent; Frontiera, Renee R.; Bruggeman, Peter
• Is Part Of: Plasma processes and polymers. Volume 19:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-07-05
• Subjects: atmospheric pressure plasma -- free radical polymerization -- nanocomposite hydrogel -- nanoparticle synthesis -- plasma‐liquid interactions; Plasma polymerization -- Periodicals; Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; Plasma chemistry -- Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.202200031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-8850

Abstract

Abstract: We performed a free radical polymerization of acrylamide in an aqueous solution by a radio frequency‐driven atmospheric pressure plasma jet. The polymerization was catalyzed by simultaneous generation of nanoparticles resulting in a percentage polymer yield increased by a factor of 2–30 times. Polyacrylamide acted as a capping agent for the silver nanoparticle formation yielding smaller nanoparticles while uncontrolled growth and massive particles were observed without acrylamide for the same conditions. Both Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy show the formation of bonds of (poly)acrylamide with the silver particles suggesting that polymerization at least in part occurs at the surface of silver particles. As plasma enables reduction without the addition of chemicals, this procedure might be a novel biocompatible approach to generate polyacrylamide/silver nanocomposite hydrogels. Abstract : Plasma‐enabled free radical polymerization of acrylamide in an aqueous solution was catalyzed by the simultaneous generation of nanoparticles resulting in an increased percentage polymer yield up to 30 times. Polyacrylamide acted as a capping agent for silver nanoparticle formation. The formation of bonds of (poly)acrylamide with the silver particles was observed. The reported procedure might be a novel biocompatible approach to generate polyacrylamide/silver nanocomposite hydrogels.