Removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions using polypyrrole and its nanocomposites

In this article, preparation of polypyrrole and its nanocomposites as adsorbents werediscussed and the capability of separation of copper ions from aqueous solution were studied.Polypyrrole was prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization method of pyrrole usingFeCl3 as an oxidant. The removal of Cu (II) was investigated using PPy, PPy/TiO2 andPPy/TiO2/DHSNa nanocomposites. The products were investigated in terms of morphologyand chemical structure with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transforminfrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Batch studies were performed to evaluate the influence ofvarious experimental parameters such as pH, ion dosage and contact time. Optimumconditions for copper ions removal were found to be pH 3, ion dosage of 50 mg L-1 and theequilibrium time equals to 30 minutes. It was also found that the equilibrium adsorptionisotherm was better described by Freundlich adsorption isotherm model.