Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Polyaniline / Palm Oil-Based Biochar Composite for Removal of Crystal violet and Eriochrome Black T Dyes in Water

Chan, Hui Nee (2024) Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Polyaniline / Palm Oil-Based Biochar Composite for Removal of Crystal violet and Eriochrome Black T Dyes in Water. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

Text Chan Hui Nee_Full Text.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (4MB)

Abstract

Dye pollution has become widespread and caused adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Thus, research into the development of highly effective and eco-friendly adsorbent materials for dye removal is essential. In the present study, a PANI/BC composite as an adsorbent for cationic CV and anionic EBT dye removal was developed using palm-oil-based biochar (BC) through pyrolysis and polyaniline (PANI) synthesized via chemical oxidation method. The PANI/BC composite was prepared by ex-situ polymerization (physical mixing method), with FTIR confirming the functional groups, UV-Vis and conductivity measurements confirming the emeraldine salt form of PANI/BC, TGA verifying the thermal stability and SEM confirming the morphology. The efficacy of the PANI/BC composite in the removal of CV and EBT dyes in water was investigated in different parameters such as the PANI/BC composite ratio, pH, dosage, initial concentration and contact time. The 0.8:0.2 PANI/BC ratio is the most effective ratio that can outperform pure PANI and BC. The highest CV removal of 99.04% was achieved at pH 11, 0.03g PANI/BC adsorbent and 150 ppm CV concentration with a contact time of 45 minutes. While the highest EBT removal of 99.81% was achieved at pH 5, 0.07g PANI/BC adsorbent and 50 ppm EBT concentration with a contact time of 960 minutes. Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, and the isotherm followed the Langmuir model which suggested monolayer adsorption. Maximal adsorption capacities were 588.23 mg/g for CV and 434.78 mg/g for EBT. CV and EBT dyes had maximal adsorption capacities of 588.23 mg/g and 434.78 mg/g respectively. The PANI/BC may be reused at leat four cycles. The desorption of CV dye is more effective with HCl (low pH), maintaining a CV removal efficiency of 90.68-98.8% after four cycles. While the desorption of EBT dye is more effective with NaOH (high pH), maintaining a EBT removal efficiency of 71.83-97.04% after four cycles.