Design and characterization of PANI/starch/FeO bio composite for wastewater remediation.

A new synthesized polyaniline/starch/hematite bio composite (PANI/S/FeO BC) has been studied as an effective material for on-site water remediation. PANI/S/FeO BC was developed by combining the techniques of co-precipitation and interfacial polymerization in the presence of aqueous starch solution in an acidic medium under ultrasonic irradiation. The nano-morphologies and structures of the designed PANI/S/FeO BC were evaluated by various techniques relative to PANI and FeO nanoparticles. In single and multiple systems, PANI/S/FeO BC was evaluated as a possible adsorbent for different heavy metals, including As, Zn, and Co, relative to PANI and FeO nanoparticles. In terms of pH value, operating temperature, initial heavy metal concentration, contact time, adsorbent dose and competitive ions in the solutions, the adsorption process was optimized. For 92% overall adsorption of Co and 100% overall adsorption of both As and Zn, the adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 60 and 120 min, respectively. In addition, adsorption thermodynamic analysis shows that the As ions adsorption process was not random and the pseudo-second-order fitted with experimental results. Moreover, PANI/S/FeO BC was evaluated as an antibacterial agent against Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium) and Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus, Aureus Clinical isolate and Bacillus subtilis). The reported performances indicated that the PANI/S/FeO BC is a potent candidate for industrial water bioremediation.