Application of Polythiophene Nanocomposite Coated on Polystyrene and Poly(Vinyl Chloride) for Removal of Pb(II) from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) particles were coated with polythiophene (PTh) by using chemical oxidative polymerization method in the presence of iron chloride (III) and their capability to removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution was studied. These nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, SEM and TGA. Batch study was performed to evaluate the influence of various experimental parameters such as pH, water pollution dosage and contact time on the removal of Pb(II). Comparison between nanocomposites showed PTh/PS has better thermal stability than PTh/PVC. Also, results indicated that the removal of Pb(II) was better when PTh/PVC was used as adsorbent.

Keywords:

• Lead ions removal
• Poly(vinyl chloride)
• Polystyrene
• Polythiophene
• Thermal stability