Abstract
The present investigation highlights the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI)-coated graphene oxide doped with SrTiO3 nanocube nanocomposites through facile in situ oxidative polymerization method for the efficient removal of carcinogenic dyes, namely, the cationic dye methylene blue (MB) and the anionic dye methyl orange (MO). The presence of oxygenated functional groups comprised of hydroxyl and epoxy groups in graphene oxide (GO) and nitrogen-containing functionalities such as imine groups and amine groups in polyaniline work synergistically to impart cationic and anionic nature to the synthesised nanocomposite, whereas SrTiO3 nanocubes act as spacers aiding in segregation of GO sheets, thereby increasing the effective surface area of nanocomposite. The synthesised nanocomposites were characterised by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The adsorption efficiencies of graphene oxide (GO), PANI homopolymer, and SrTiO3 nanocubes-doped nanocomposites were assessed by monitoring the adsorption of methylene blue and methyl orange dyes from aqueous solution. The adsorption efficiency of nanocomposites doped with SrTiO3 nanocubes were found to be of higher magnitude as compared with undoped nanocomposite. Moreover, the nanocomposite with 2 wt % SrTiO3 with respect to graphene oxide demonstrated excellent adsorption behaviour with 99% and 91% removal of MB and MO, respectively, in a very short duration of time.
Highlights
Water pollution poses a serious threat to the environment, thereby attracting much scientific attention to the removal of organic waste and toxic water pollutants from aqueous bodies [1]
In the present study we reported the facile synthesis of polyaniline-coated graphene oxide doped with SrTiO3 nancocube nanocomposites, synthesised through a simple in situ oxidative polymerisation technique for the adsorption of a cationic dye (MB) and an anionic dye (MO)
To achieve the desired goal, an aniline monomer containing amine functionality was introduced on the surface of graphene oxide (GO),which was subsequently polymerized in the presence of ammonium persulphate in acidic medium in order to obtain a PANI-coated GO
Summary
Water pollution poses a serious threat to the environment, thereby attracting much scientific attention to the removal of organic waste and toxic water pollutants from aqueous bodies [1]. Methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO), commercial dyes used for various applications such as textiles, papers, leathers, additives, laser printing, etc., are heterocyclic aromatic chemical compounds having complex chemical structures and synthetic origin, owing to which they are resistant to biodegradation and very stable to light and oxidation [10,11,12]. These dyes are highly toxic, persistent, carcinogenic, and mutagenic in nature. Up to now considerable efforts such as coagulation [13], photocatalysis [10,12], biological treatment [14], chemical oxidation [15], membrane separation [16], and adsorption [17,18] have been performed to eliminate noxious dyes from aqueous environment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
