Chitosan-polyaniline-copper(II) oxide hybrid composite for the removal of methyl orange dye

Chitosan-polyaniline-copper(II) oxide (Ch-PANI-CuO) nanocomposite has been synthesized using batch adsorption method. It was characterized using UV-Vis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SEM and TEM showed that the surface of the nanocomposite was rough and porous with pleats, which is probably responsible for better dye adsorption. The maximum percentage of dye degradation was found to be 94.6% for methyl orange dye. The desorption study and FTIR results confirmed the presence of hydroxyl and amino functional groups. The results clearly indicate that the polymer matrix could be used as an adsorbent for the removal of methyl orange from aqueous solution.