An environmentally safe, efficient, and economical microwave-assisted technique was selected for the production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). To prepare uniformly disseminated AgNPs, xanthan gum (XG) was utilized as both a reducing and capping agent. UV–Vis spectroscopy was used to characterize the formed XG-AgNPs, with the absorption band regulated at 414 nm under optimized parameters. Atomic force microscopy was used to reveal the size and shape of XG-AgNPs. The interactions between the XG capping agent and AgNPs observed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The XG-AgNPs were placed in between glassy carbon electrode and Nafion^® surfaces and then deployed as sensors for voltammetric evaluation of mercury ions (Hg²⁺) using square-wave voltammetry as an analytical mode. Required Nafion^® quantities, electrode behavior, electrolyte characteristics, pH, initial potentials, accumulation potentials, and accumulation durations were all comprehensively investigated. In addition, an electrochemical mechanism for the oxidation of Hg²⁺ was postulated. With an exceptional limit of detection of 0.18 ppb and an R² value of 0.981, the sensors’ measured linear response range was 0.0007–0.002 µM Hg²⁺. Hg²⁺ evaluations were ultimately unaffected by the presence of many coexisting metal ions (Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cr₂O₄, Co²⁺,Cu²⁺, CuSO₄). Spiked water samples were tested using the described approach, with Hg²⁺ recoveries ranging from 97% to 100%.

Tacticity has a profound effect on the characteristics of synthetic polymers. Herein, a tubular reactor strategy is employed to perform cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE) through a continuous flow process to produce highly stereoselective poly(IBVE). In this approach, two separate n-hexane solutions were prepared, with one containing a catalyst (bis(2,6-diisopropylphenoxy)titanium dichloride) and the other containing an initiator (HCl-IBVE), a monomer (IBVE) and an additive (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine, DTBMP). Both solutions were merged and mixed in a mixer and flowed into the tubular reactor. The polymerization started in the mixer and continued while flowing through the tubular reactor. Finally, the reaction mixture was collected and the reaction was quenched with ethanol in glassware to afford the poly(IBVE) product. The stereoselectivity of the obtained poly(IBVE) was examined under different polymerization conditions and a meso dyad (m) value of 98% was achieved under the optimum conditions. This work provides a strategy to access highly isotactic poly(IBVE) via a continuous flow process, enabling technical advantages for potential industrial applications.