Preparation and Characterization of Polyaniline/Sb2O3 Nanocomposite and its Application to Removal of Pb(ІІ) from Aqueous Media

Nanocomposite of polyaniline (PAn) containing nanometre size Sb2O3 was prepared in aqueous media in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method at room temperature in the presence of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) as a surfactant. The ability of product to removal of lead ions from aqueous solution was studied. The chemical structure and morphology were studied by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the Sb2O3 and HPC influence the properties of products. Batch studied was carried out to estimate the influence of pH and contact time to Pb(ІІ) removal percentage. The results show that the PAn/Sb2O3 nanocomposite has a considerable ability removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Optimum conditions for Pb(II) removal were found to pH 3 and equilibrium time 30 minutes. It was also found that the equilibrium adsorption isotherm was better described by Freundlich adsorption isotherm model.