Utilization of waste PET-derived metal-organic framework grafted polyaniline composite for heavy metal adsorption from aqueous solution

In this research, we used waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles as a source to develop an iron-based MOF-supported polyaniline (Fe-MOF@PANI) composite, which was then applied for the adsorptive removal of cadmium (Cd(II)) and lead (Pb(II)) ions from aqueous environment. A comprehensive characterization of the FeMOF@PANI composite was conducted using several analytical techniques including FTIR, PXRD, SEM, EDX with mapping, and XPS analysis, which provided significant insights into its functionality, crystalline structure, surface morphology, and elemental composition. The synthesized Fe-MOF exhibited a spindle-shaped morphology that was evenly distributed over the surface of the PANI composite, as confirmed by SEM analysis. Additionally, the porous characteristics of the Fe-MOF@PANI composite were proven through BET analysis. The FeMOF@PANI composite exhibited remarkable adsorption efficiencies for selected metal cations, achieving adsorption capacities of 143.36 mg/g and 258.59 mg/g for Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions, respectively. The findings of the isotherm and kinetic studies demonstrated that the adsorption process fitted well with Langmuir and pseudosecond-order kinetics, indicating that adsorption of both metal cations occurs in a monolayer formation and includes chemisorption mechanisms, respectively. This research paves the way for further development and application of post-functionalized PET-derived MOF adsorbents to remove Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from water efficiently.