Synthesis of Polymer-Based Magnetic Nanocomposite for Multi-Pollutants Removal from Water

A magnetic polymer-based nanocomposite was fabricated by the modification of an Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ magnetic composite with polypyrrole (PPy) via co-precipitation polymerization to form PPy/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ for the removal of Congo red dye (CR) and hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) ions from water. The nanocomposite was characterized using various techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), vibration sample magnetometer, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results confirm the successful fabrication of the nanocomposite in the size of nanometers. The effect of different conditions such as the contact time, adsorbent dosage, solution pH, and initial concentration on the adsorption process was investigated. The adsorption isotherm suggested monolayer adsorption of both contaminants over the PPy/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposite following a Langmuir isotherm, with maximum adsorption of 361 and 298 mg.g⁻¹ for CR dye and Cr(VI), respectively. Furthermore, the effect of water type on the adsorption process was examined, indicating the applicability of the PPy/Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanocomposite for real sample treatment. Interestingly, the reusability of the nanocomposite for the removal of the studied contaminants was investigated with good results even after six successive cycles. All results make this nanocomposite a promising material for water treatment.