Silver rubber-hydrogel nanocomposite as pH-sensitive prepared by gamma radiation: Part I

Abstract Silver rubber-hydrogel nanocomposite based on silver/styrene butadiene rubber/polyvinylpyrrolidone/methacrylic acid (SBR/PVP/MAA)/Ag was prepared by gamma radiation-induced crosslinking. During the radiation crosslinking of SBR/PVP/MAA solution containing silver nitrate AgNO3 (0.01 mol), in situ reduction of Ag+ ions was performed under the radiolysis of water. The properties of sliver rubber-hydrogel nanocomposite were investigated by FT-IR, XRD, TEM, SEM, DSC and TGA techniques. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) reveals that AgNPs have uniform distribution and spherical shape with mean diameter in the range of 8–10 nm. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results of the nanocomposite showed one phase suggesting the miscibility between rubber and hydrogel phases. The swelling measurement of the synthesized silver rubber-hydrogel nanocomposite in different pHs at room temperature was performed. The results showed that it has pH-sensitivity.