Preparation of PVA/α-MnO2-KH550 nanocomposite films and study of their morphology, thermal, mechanical and Pb(II) adsorption properties

Abstract

Abstract The α-manganese dioxide (α-MnO 2 ) nanorods were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and modified with γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (KH550) coupling agent as a surface modifier. Then poly(vinyl alcohol)/α-MnO 2 -KH550 nanocomposites (NCs) containing 1, 3, and 5 wt% of modified α-MnO 2 were prepared through ultrasound-assisted technique. The α-MnO 2 , α-MnO 2 -KH550 and resulting NCs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy. Morphological studies revealed that α-MnO 2 -KH550 has a rod-like morphology with a diameter of 10–80 nm. The amount of grafted KH550 onto α-MnO 2 surface was determined to be about 20 wt% by thermogravimetric analysis. Mechanical and thermal properties of NCs were also investigated. The results showed that with increasing the α-MnO 2 -KH550 content, the thermal stability and tensile properties were improved. Finally, NC 5 wt% was used as an adsorbent for sorption of Pb(II) ions. It showed good adsorption for the removal of Pb(II) ions in aqueous solution.