Synthesis and investigation of polypyrrole / pomegranate peel powder composites and application for removal of heavy metals from water

Abstract

Polypyrrole (PPy) is an inherently conducting polymer (ICP) which has different applications in sensors, batteries, separation membranes and corrosion protective of metals. Synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy) with optimum properties and its remarkable conductivity has been studied. In this study, polypyrrole (PPy) and polypyrrole/pomegranate peel powder (PPy/PPP) composites were prepared by oxidative polymerization of pyrrole. The effects of pomegranate peel powder on the physical and chemical properties of polypyrrole and its composites were investigated. The structure of polypyrrole (PPy) and polypyrrole / pomegranate peel powder composites was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy has shown the shape of pomegranate peel powder spherical and their average size about 15-20 micrometers. The thermal properties and thermal degradation of polypyrrole and its composites were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to investigate the adsorption mechanism. Experimental data showed that the adsorption of nickel ions increases with increasing the initial concentration of this ion in the solution. Also, the results indicated that more than 83% of the nickel ion absorption capacity of the samples can be obtained in the first 60 minutes of absorption.

Keywords

• pomegranate peel powder
• adsorption studies
• polypyrrole
• x-ray photoelectron (xps)