Magnetic sporopollenin supported polyaniline developed for removal of lead ions from wastewater: Kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic studies

This study evaluated the synthesis of novel binary functionaladsorbent based on sporopollenin, magnetic nanoparticles, and polyaniline to produce MSP-PANI. The MSP-PANI was applied to enhance uptake of lead ions (Pb2+) from wastewater samples. The functionalities, surface morphology, magnetic properties, and elemental composition of the newly synthesized nanocomposite were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), vibration sample magnetometer (VSM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. The experimental condition for the adsorption process was MSP/PANI ratio 1:1, pH -6, adsorbent dosage 40 mg, and contact time 90 min at room temperature. Under the proposed condition, lead ions removal were obtained as 83%, 88% and 95% for MSPE, PANI, and MSP/PANI, respectively. Based on the experimental and predicted data, the adsorption was corresponded to the psudo-second-order (R-2 = 0.999) kinetics model, and the adsorption equilibrium corresponded to the Langmuir model (R-2 = 0.996). Langmuir isotherm showed the maximum adsorption capacity of MSP-PANI for lead ions was 163 mg/g and followed the monolayer pattern. Hence, thermodynamic model under Van' t Hoff equation suggested that the adsorption mechanism was physio-sorption with endothermic nature. Therefore, this research can help the researchers to use magnetic nanoparticles for lead removal in highly polluted areas.

Automated summary

This study synthesized a novel binary functional adsorbent, MSP-PANI, based on sporopollenin, magnetic nanoparticles, and polyaniline, and applied it to enhance the uptake of lead ions from wastewater. The nanocomposite's functionalities, surface morphology, magnetic properties, and elemental composition were investigated. The adsorption process showed that MSP/PANI ratio of 1:1, pH 6, adsorbent dosage of 40 mg, and contact time of 90 min at room temperature were optimal. The maximum adsorption capacity for lead ions was 163 mg/g, and the adsorption mechanism was identified as physio-sorption with endothermic nature.