Removal of Lead Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Polyaniline Polystyrene Nanocomposites

Abstract

Water pollution is an issue of grave importance worldwide, especially in countries that boast of a large number of industries. High concentration of heavy metal ions such as lead, nickel, etc are often found in industrial waste water and can have adverse affects on human health. Over the years a variety of methods, both physical and chemical ones, are reported to have been used for removal of heavy metal ions from water such as filtration and advanced oxidation [1, 2], etc. Adsorption is among the most widely used techniques due to its simplicity, reasonable operational conditions and cost-effective nature. The primary physical property of any absorbent is its surface area and structure. PANI is used due to the presence of primary and secondary amines functional groups which absorb heavy metals. However, due to poor solubility of PANI in common solvents it is made into composite with polystyrene which has strong mechanical properties. In this study a PS/PANI nanocomposite was prepared using the casting method; the composite was then investigated for its heavy metal ion absorption potential.