Synthesis, characterization and Cr(VI) uptake study of polyaniline coated chitin.

The present work describes the synthesis, characterization of polyaniline coated chitin (PCC) and its application as an adsorbent of the removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. The synthesized PCC was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, BET, TGA, and DSC. The batch adsorption system was used to optimize the various parameters for the removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution by PCC. The equilibrium data obtained at optimized conditions were well described by Freundlich isotherm model than the Langmuir isotherm model. The values of ΔG(0), ΔH(0) and ΔS(0) indicate the spontaneous and the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted well to the kinetic data. The regeneration studies revealed that the Cr(VI) loaded PCC could be reused for three consecutive cycles.