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

• Published in: South African journal of chemical engineering Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Matome, S.M., Makhado, E., Katata-Seru, L.M., Maponya, T.C., Modibane, K.D., Hato, M.J., Bahadur, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2020; South African Institution of Chemical Engineers (SAIChE); Elsevier
• Subjects: Adsorption; Green synthesis; Hexavalent chromium; Iron zero nanoparticles; Polypyrrole; Hexavalent chromium; Iron zero nanoparticles; Green synthesis; Adsorption; Polypyrrole
• ISSN: 1026-9185
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sajce.2020.05.004

•Green synthesis of polypyrrole/nanoscale nanocomposite (Ppy/Fe0 NC) were reported.•The structure and the properties of Ppy/Fe0 NC were confirmed.•Ppy/Fe0 NC was used as an adsorbent for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). 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).