Chemical design of a smart chitosan–polypyrrole–magnetite nanocomposite toward efficient water treatment

Abstract

A magnetic chitosan–polypyrrole–magnetite (Cs–PPy–Fe₃O₄) nanocomposite is prepared in a simple one-step method via in situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole using anhydrous FeCl₃ as an oxidant in the presence of Cs. Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles of size in the range of 10–20 nm are successfully introduced into the Cs–PPy matrix. Adsorption of an anionic dye (acid green 25, AG) from aqueous solution into the Cs–PPy–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite is investigated. The nanocomposite exhibits high adsorption capacity compared to PPy and Cs themselves. After the adsorption, the Cs–PPy–Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite is easily separated from the reaction solution using an external magnet, which is very useful for practical applications.