Copper ferrite-polyaniline nanocomposite: Structural, thermal, magnetic and dye adsorption properties

A copper ferrite-polyaniline (CuFe@PANI) adsorbent has been prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of pre-synthesized copper ferrite nanoparticles. FT-IR spectra, XRD patterns, UV-Vis spectra, VSM curves, TGA/DTA analysis, EDS spectrum and SEM and TEM images confirmed the architecture of CuFe@PANI nanocomposite and characterized its properties. The fabricated nanocomposite had mesoporous structure with BET surface area of 20.3668 m(2)/g that exhibited excellent ability for the adsorbing of methyl orange from aqueous media, with the maximum adsorption capacity of 345.9 mg/g. Due to the excellent magnetic properties of CuFe2O4, the nanocomposite could be separated easily by an external magnetic field.