Green synthesis of polypyrrole/nanoscale zero valent iron nanocomposite and use as an adsorbent for hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution

• Main Authors: S.M. Matome, E. Makhado, L.M. Katata-Seru, T.C. Maponya, K.D. Modibane, M.J. Hato, I. Bahadur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-10-01
• Series: South African Journal of Chemical Engineering
• Subjects: Polypyrrole; Iron zero nanoparticles; Green synthesis; Adsorption; Hexavalent chromium
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1026918520300184

Green synthesis of polypyrrole/nanoscale zero valent iron nanocomposite (Ppy/Fe0 NC) fabricated by a simple in-situ oxidative polymerization method was reported. The structure and the properties of Ppy/Fe0 NC were confirmed using various analytical techniques. The as-prepared Ppy/Fe0 NC was used as an adsorbent for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) through batch experiments. The effect of initial pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, equilibrium concentration and co-existing ions were studied. It was deduced that adsorption data followed the pseudo-second-order rate model and Langmuir isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 202.02 mg/g at 25°C. Furthermore, high selectivity of Ppy/Fe0 nanocomposite for the removal Cr(VI) was observed even in the presence of co-existing ions. These findings suggest that the green synthesized adsorbent can be used for treatment of wastewater containing Cr(VI).