Adsorption of chlorpyrifos in water using polyaniline/graphene oxide composites.

Graphene oxide and polyaniline have some unique properties and are considered as new generation materials for various applications. One major application of these materials is the adsorption of pollutants. In this study, Graphene oxide was synthesized with different levels of oxidation by using the modified Hummers method. Polyaniline/graphene oxide composite was synthesized by in situ polymerization with GO loading at 10% and 50% and further the composite is casted inside a disposable syringe by using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a dispersing agent. An adsorption experiment was carried out for water containing pesticide chlorpyrifos. The produced materials were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy & and XRD. Morphology was studied by SEM images. The FTIR spectra shows the formation of functional groups like -OH, -COOH on graphene, which may increase the hydrophilicity and adsorption properties. FTIR spectra of the composite portrayed the formation of bonds between polyaniline and graphene oxide. XRD peaks were obtained corresponding to crystals of polyaniline and graphite sheets. The adsorption efficiency was determined by analysis of water samples before and after filtration by using GC-MS. The composite produced with 50% amount of GO showed optimum results for the removal of chlorpyrifos. However, the composite with 10% GO loading is showing very low efficiency for the removal of chlorpyrifos. The PANI/GO composite is a possible candidate for the treatment of river water polluted by agricultural pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]