Synthesis and adsorption potential of an organic–inorganic-based hybrid nanomaterial (PANI-Al₂O₃)

Abstract

Recently, the inorganic–organic-based hybrid nanocomposite materials have been successfully utilized in the removal of the inorganic contaminants from the aqueous system. This study deals with the synthesis, characterization, and adsorption applications of low-cost and efficient polyaniline-Al₂O₃ (PANI-Al₂O₃)-based material. The freshly synthesized PANI-Al₂O₃ was analyzed using P-XRD, FE-SEM, FT-IR, and EDX methods. This material has been successfully used in the adsorptive removal of divalent lead and hexavalent chromium ions from synthetically prepared waste water. The adsorption efficiency of PANI-Al₂O₃ for Pb (II) and Cr (VI) ions was recorded as 93.1% (at pH 6) and 76.3% (at pH 2), respectively. The adsorption capacities (Q_max) have been evaluated from Langmuir model as 9.901 and 12.048 mg/g for Pb (II) and Cr (VI) ions under our laboratory scales. Pseudo second-order rate constants of Pb (II) and Cr (VI) ions were found as 45.45 and 29.15 g mg⁻¹min⁻¹, respectively.

Keywords:

• Nanocomposites
• PANI-Al₂O₃
• synthesis
• characterization
• adsorption

Acknowledgment

I am thankful to Department of chemistry, Uttaranchal University Dehradun (India), for motivational and technical helps during the time of experimental works.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.