CuO/polypyrrole nanocomposites as a marker of toxic lead ions for ecological remediation in contrast with CuO and polypyrrole

Abstract

In the present study, CuO, polypyrrole (PPy), and CuO/PPy nanocomposites were synthesized to compare the selective adsorption behavior of hazardous metal ions such as Pb(II) ions. The synthesized nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The adsorption studies clearly showed that CuO/PPy nanocomposites exhibited much higher adsorption performance than individual CuO and PPy. Kinetic data followed the pseudo-second-order model. The equilibrium attained at 120 min and isotherm follows the order Sips>Langmuir>Freundlich. The adsorbed Pb(II) is desorbed using 0.1 m HCl. The adsorption-desorption studies conducted over six cycles illustrate the viability and repeated use of the adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent's practical efficiency and usefulness were tested using real industrial wastewater, and 0.55 g/L of adsorbent is adequate for the complete removal of Pb(II). Cytotoxicity results show that CuO/PPy nanocomposites were biocompatible at lower concentrations, and they were used as an ecofriendly nanoadsorbent for industrial and environmental applications.