Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocomposite Ion Exchanger for the Removal of Heavy Metals

Abstract

In material science, organic-inorganic hybrid materials have attracted a great deal of attention prepared by sol-gel approach. Organic polymer part of the composite provides chemical stability and mechanical strength whereas the inorganic part supports the ion-exchange behavior and thermal stability. Such modified composite materials can be applied as an electrochemically switchable ion exchanger for water treatment, especially water softening. Polyaniline zirconium (IV)iodate nanocomposite ion exchanger is prepared by sol-gel method. Polyaniline zirconium (IV)iodate nanocomposite ion exchanger is synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectra (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), ion exchange, conductivity, and antimicrobial studies. The synthesis process of the polyaniline zirconium (IV)iodate nanocomposite ion exchanger was discussed. The route reported here may be used for the preparation of other nanocomposite ion exchangers.