Preparation and characterization of CNTs reinforced polyaniline@Zn-CuO nanocomposite for environmental applications

New and novel heavy metal ion selective organic-inorganic composite CNTs reinforced polyaniline@Zn-CuO was expediently obtained by the sol-gel method. Conducting monomer, aniline was polymerized by in situ chemical oxidation. The CNT reinforced polyaniline@Zn-CuO was used for the preparation of ion-selective membrane. The prepared membrane was characterized for porosity, swelling, and find suitable to be used for the preparation of modified ion-selective membrane electrode. The prepared electrode was calibrated with different metal ions and found suitable selective for Hg2+ ions. The electrode showed excellent results as the limit of detection (1 × 10−6 M), working conc range (1 × 10−1 M to 1 × 10−6 M), pH working range (3–6), and response time 17 Sec with room temperature stability two and half month while 30.2 mV is the Nerstian slope obtained by per decade change in metal ion concentration of Hg2+. The practical utility of the proposed membrane sensor assembly was tested by its use as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titrations.