Abstract
In this study, polythiophene/Al2O3 (PTh/Al2O3) and polyaniline/Al2O3 (PAn/Al2O3) nanocomposites in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as the surfactant were synthesized via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method in aqueous medium. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results indicated that the Al2O3 and poly(vinyl alcohol) influenced the properties of synthesized nanocomposites. The aim of this research was to investigate the sorption characteristics of polythiophene and polyaniline nanocomposites for the removal of heavy metal cations including Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution. The factors that affected the adsorption equilibrium as well as the removal efficiency of the nanoadsorbents, i.e., contact time, metal ion concentration, pH and adsorption conditions were investigated in detail. From the kinetic results, it was concluded that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was found to be the best at describing the adsorption process for Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) on PTh-PVA/Al2O3 and PAn-PVA/Al2O3. In addition, thermodynamic analysis suggests the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the present adsorption process with increased entropy on PTh-PVA/Al2O3 and PAn-PVA/Al2O3. The results suggest polythiophene, polyaniline and their nanocomposites have great potential to be used as efficient absorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from water.
Highlights
Heavy metal ions pollution and its effects on human life is one of the most studied environmental issues in recent years
A serious of polymeric nanocomposites were prepared in the presence of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as the surfactant to be used for the adsorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous medium
The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD)
Summary
Heavy metal ions pollution and its effects on human life is one of the most studied environmental issues in recent years. Toxic heavy metal ions such as arsenic, copper, zinc, nickel, cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead can be harmful to water and remain a serious public health problem (Karthik & Meenakshi 2015; Yan et al 2015; Seyfi Hasankola et al 2019). Aquatic organisms, such as fish, accumulate pollutants directly from contaminated water and indirectly via the food chain. If unrecognized or inappropriately treated, toxicity can result in significant illness and reduced quality of life, which can result in death (Piri et al 2016; Isangedighi & David 2019)
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