Efficient Catalytic Activity of Novel Fluorescent Polyimide Embedded Ag and VO Nanoparticles Towards the Removal of Hazardous Pollutants

A novel fluorescent polyimide (PI) made up of perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDAH) and p-phenylenediamine (PPDA) was prepared with or without Ag and VO nanoparticles at 160 °C for 5 h under N atmosphere with vigorous stirring. The influence of nanomaterials on the rate of polymerization (R) was determined. The synthesized PI and PI nanocomposites were characterized to analyse their chemical functionality (FT-IR), surface morphology (FE-SEM) and thermal properties (DSC and TGA). The catalytic reduction of Cr (VI), p-nitrophenol (NP) and rhodamine6G (R6G) dye was analysed using the prepared PI and PI nanocomposites as a catalyst. It was found that the R of PI nanocomposites was higher than pristine PI system. The PI/Ag nanocomposite system exhibited higher degradation temperature (T) and apparent rate constant (k) values towards the reduction of R6G dye.