Application of polyaniline nanocomposite coated on rice husk ash for removal of Hg(II) from aqueous media

In this study, preparation of polyaniline (PAn) and its nanocomposite containing rice husk ash (RHA) was discussed, and their capability to removal of Hg(II) from aqueous solution was studied. Polyaniline (PAn) synthesized chemically in the presence of potassium iodate as an oxidant, coated on rice husk ash via cast method. The removal of Hg(II) was investigated using polyaniline, rice husk ash and polyaniline/rice husk ash nanocomposite, respectively. The products were investigated in terms of morphology and chemical structure with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. Batch studies were performed to evaluate the influence of various experimental parameters like pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and the rotating speed. Optimum conditions for mercury removal were found to be pH 9, adsorbent dosage of 10 g/L, equilibrium time 20 min and rotating time 400 rpm.

► Synthesize of polyaniline and its nanocomposites containing rice husk ash.
► Optimum conditions for Hg(II) removal is pH 9 and adsorbent dosage of 10 g/L.
► Adsorption of Hg(II) is fast and equilibrium is achieved by 20 min of contact time.
► Removal efficiency of PAn/RHA is higher than PAn and RHA in all experiments.