Oxidized g-C3N4/polyaniline nanofiber composite for the selective removal of hexavalent chromium

Nanomaterials with selective adsorption properties are in demand for environmental applications. Herein, acid etching and oxidative decomposition of melon units of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was performed to obtain the oxidized graphitic carbon nitride (Ox-g-C3N4) nanosheets. Ox-g-C3N4 nanosheets were further decorated on the polyaniline nanofiber (Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF). Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF was well characterized and further applied for a selective removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) form aqueous solution. The zeta potential analysis indicate that the surface of Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF was positively charged which could be beneficial to bind anionic Cr(VI) ions electrostatically. In addition, nitrogen and oxygen containing functional groups exist on the Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF were mainly responsible for adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. Moreover, the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions was also dependent on solution pH, reaction temperature and initial concentration of Cr(VI) ions. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF for Cr(VI), calculated from Langmuir isotherm was 178.57 mg/g at pH = 2 and 30 degrees C. The activation energy (Ea = -20.66 kJ/mol) and the enthalpy change (Delta H degrees = -22.055 kJ/mol) validate the role of physical forces in adsorption of Cr(VI). These results demonstrate that Ox-g-C3N4/Pani-NF can be used as a potential adsorbent for environmental remediation applications.