Bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) have drawn significant attention due to their numerous applications. They demonstrate enhanced optical, electrical, thermal, and catalytic properties due to the synergistic effects of monometals present in them. In this work, CuAg and AuAg BNPs have been synthesized using a facile and economical chemical reduction method. Optical characterization was carried out using UV–visible spectroscopy, and effect of pH on optical absorbance was studied. For CuAg and AuAg BNPs, optimum pH was observed to be at 9.4 and 6.39, respectively. Morphological investigation confirms the average diameters of CuAg and AuAg BNPs were to be 65 nm and 30 nm, respectively. Photocatalytic property illustrates the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol with a 92% conversion percentage in the presence of CuAg BNPs in 4 min, and rate constant for the reaction was measured to be 8.98 × 10–3 s−1. But for the AuAg BNPs, the conversion percentage was 97% in 8 min and rate constant was found to be 7.95 × 10–3 s−1. Thermal conductivity and viscosity measurements of the nanofluids obtained with CuAg and AuAg BNPs have ascertained them to be efficient candidates for the heat transfer and catalytic applications.
Graphic abstract
The optical and morphological properties of the vacuum-evaporated silver (Ag) nanoparticulate films on softened polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) modified with the 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) dopants are reported. The topography of the particulate films is characterized by the field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The optical spectra broadening, red-shift, and the increase in the intensity values of the plasmonic resonance peak with the nature of dopant have a strong dependence on the particle size, shape, and inter-particle separation. The conducted experimental optical studies are supported by Finite Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulation results. Quantitative analysis of the Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy studies confirm the surface modification of Ag nanoparticulate films on doped PVA substrates. The amount of polymer-metal interaction caused by the strongly interacting silane groups of the dopants and their influence on the morphology and optical properties are discussed.
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