Synthesis, characterization of Fe3O4@glycine doped polypyrrole magnetic nanocomposites and their potential performance to remove toxic Cr(VI)

•Magnetic NCs were synthesized via in situ polymerization of Py in presence of gly.•ATR-FTIR results confirmed the presence of PPy and inclusion of gly in the NCs.•Magnetic NCs showed potential performance to remove toxic Cr(VI) selectively.•The maximum adsorbent capacity was found to be 238 mg/g at pH 2.0.•Magnetic NCs can be separated by external magnet after treatment process.

Fe3O4 coated glycine doped polypyrrole magnetic nanocomposite (Fe3O4@gly-PPy NC) was prepared via coating of suspended Fe3O4 nanoparticles with gly-PPy. FE-SEM and HR-TEM images indicated that Fe3O4 nanoparticles were encapsulated by precipitating gly-PPy moieties. Chromium(VI) adsorption followed a Langmuir isotherm with maximum capacity of 238–303 mg/g for a temperature range of 25–45 °C at pH 2. The adsorption process was governed by the ionic interaction and the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by the PPy moiety. Results showed that NCs are effective adsorbents for the removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater and can be separated by external magnetic field from the reactor.

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