New microbial-friendly polyaniline nanoparticles on the base of nitrilotriacetic acid: comparison with PANI prepared by standard techniques

This paper describes the influence of polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles prepared in the presence of the nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) in comparison with PANI prepared by standard techniques, on mixed microbial cultures in the form of a biological extract from soil and activated sludge and partially digested sludge, both sourced from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The presence of PANI prepared by standard techniques in aqueous environment has a negative effect on the activity of mixed microbial cultures in the form of activated sludge, digested sludge (anaerobic conditions), and natural soil. According to biological oxygen demand (BOD) values-respirometric test, the slight inhibiting effect of nanoparticles is attributed to impurities and oligomers from aniline polymerization. The use of NTA in the production of PANI, resulted in nanotubes with channels through which NTA is incorporated into the structure. A sample thus obtained shows higher values of BOD, which is associated with the fact that NTA is released from PANI nanotube channels followed by its biodegradation.