Conducting polymer hydrogel reactor for synthesizing Au nanoparticles and its use in the reduction of p-nitrophenol

We describe a novel approach of synthesizing Au nanoparticles (NPs) using a conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(acrylic acid) (PEDOT/PAA) hydrogel reactor. The resulted composite hydrogel (Au/PEDOT/PAA) displays enhanced strength due to the formation of Au NPs (30–100 nm in diameter) within the hydrogel. Also, it exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP). By adjusting the concentration of HAuCl4 during the preparation, the content of Au NPs can be facilely modulated. The present findings may shed some light on designing and preparing new composites containing noble metal NPs.Graphical AbstractWe describe a novel approach of synthesizing Au nanoparticles (NPs) by using a conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly (acrylic acid) (PEDOT/PAA) hydrogel reactor. Those Au NPs display excellent catalytic activity for reduction of p-nitrophenol.