Layered double hydroxide/conductive polymer nanocomposites: Toward multifunctional biocompatible nanoadsorbents for wastewater treatment applications

Abstract

ABSTRACT Layered double hydroxide (LDH)/conductive polymer nanocomposites combine the promising adsorption capabilities of 2D layered nanomaterials and the electric properties of conductive polymers, resulting in multifunctional adsorbents for wastewater treatment. In this work, a simple in situ polymerization of aniline was conducted in the presence of Zn-Fe LDH to synthesize a Zn-Fe LDH/PANI nanocomposite, which was characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and BET. The composite showed a particle-like morphology with a size of 30–60 nm and a BET surface area of 23.27 m2/g and was used as an adsorbent for carbamazepine (CBZ). Zn-Fe LDH/PANI removed 98% of CBZ at pH 7, 0.2 g/L, and 40 mg/L CBZ. For biocompatibility, acute toxicity was assessed in vivo for ten days using male albino rats, and probit analysis (after 2, 6, and 24 hours) was used to determine the LD0, LD20, LD50, LD90, and LD100 values, which were calculated to be 890, 1051, 3188, 6371, and 11,300, respectively. During this time, the rats were weighed, and other observations were made, including mortality, behavior, injuries, and any symptoms of toxicity or side effects. Histopathological examination of organs such as the liver, kidney, brain, skin, intestine, and cecum for any pathological alterations was performed. Two green metrics were applied, the Analytical Eco-scale and the Analytical GREEness Calculator (AGREE).