Catalytic reactors performing continuously are an important step towards more efficient and controllable processes compared to the batch operation mode. For this purpose, homogenous high internal phase emulsion polymer materials with an immobilized silver catalyst were prepared and used as a continuous plug flow reactor. Porous material with epoxide groups was functionalized to bear aldehyde groups which were used to reduce silver ions using Tollens reagent. Investigation of various parameters revealed that the mass of deposited silver depends on the aldehyde concentration as well as the composition of Tollens reagent. Nanoparticles formed on the pore surface showed high crystallinity with a cuboctahedra crystal shape and highly uniform surface coverage. The example of the 4-nitrophenol catalytic reduction in a continuous process was studied and demonstrated to be dependent on the mass of deposited silver. Furthermore, productivity increased with the volumetric silver density and flow rate, and it was preserved during prolonged usage and storage.
Keywords: 4-nitrophenol reduction; AGET ATRP; Tollens reagent; heterogeneous catalysis; silver.