Preparation and characterization of eco-friendly poly(p-phenylenediamine) and its composite with chitosan for removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions

Poly(p-phenylenediamine)/chitosan (PPPDA/Chi) composite was prepared by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of p-phenylenediamine (PPPDA) into chitosan (Chi) using ammonium persulphate (APS) as an oxidant. PPPDA and PPPDA/Chi composite were characterized by FT-IR spectra and SEM before and after copper loading. In batch adsorption method, the maximum removal of copper was experienced when 1 g/L of PPPDA and PPPDA/Chi composite dosages were used at pH 5.0 for PPPDA and 6.0 for PPPDA/Chi composite for 360 min for both sorbents. PPPDA showed adsorption capacity qemax of 650 mg/g whereas its composite achieved qemax of 573 mg/g. The experimental data correlate well with the Freundlich isotherm equation and the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The Cu(II), loaded PPPDA and its composite can be efficiently reused for as many as four cycles. The Cu(II)-loaded sorbents showed high antibacterial efficiency against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria than their unloaded forms.