Synthesis, characterization and conducting behavior of heavy metal sensitive polyaniline/zirconium (IV) tungstoiodophosphate nanocomposite

• A novel thermally stable ‘polymeric-inorganic’ nano-ordered material, Polyaniline/Zirconium (IV) tungstoiodophosphate, has been synthesized using sol–gel technique.
• TEM, SEM, TGA–DTA, FTIR, and X-ray studies authenticate the proposed material.
• DC electrical conductivity shows semi-conducting nature of the material.
• Adsorption efficiency of proposed material shows its selectivity for heavy toxic metal ion indicating its importance in environmental science.

Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of conducting nature of nano-ordered material has been done by sol–gel mixing of an electrical conducting polymer polyaniline into the matrices of inorganic precipitate zirconium tungstoiodophosphate. The physico-chemical property was determined using TGA–DTA, FTIR, X-ray, and SEM studies. The results of physical properties were found progressive in terms of their specific properties. Electrical conductivity determined by four-in-line probe method shows semi-conducting range, i.e., 10−3–10−2 S cm−1. Sensitivity and selectivity was explored by its adsorption efficiency towards heavy metal ions. Proposed material was selective for copper, a heavy toxic metal ion indicating its utility in decreasing pollution load.