Preparation, characterization, and ion exchange behavior of nanocomposite polyaniline zirconium(IV) selenotungstophosphate for the separation of toxic metal ions

Abstract

A conducting polymer-based advanced nanocomposite ion exchanger was synthesized by incorporating polyaniline (PANI) into the inorganic counterpart zirconium(IV) selenotungstophosphate (ZSWP). The nanocomposite exhibited an excellent ion exchange capacity of 1.20 meq g−1 in addition to high thermal stability. The polymeric–inorganic nanocomposite ion exchanger was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), XRD, SEM, and TEM studies. The DC conductivity of PANI/ZSWP was also investigated. The nanocomposite ion exchanger was found to be highly selective for Cu2+ ions with a distribution coefficient value of 650 mL/g. The analytical applications of the material were explored by achieving selective separations of Cu2+ and Ca2+ ions from a synthetic mixture of Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, and Al3+ and Ca2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Al3+, Mg2+, and Ba2+.