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.