Applications of conjugated polymer based composites in wastewater purification

The increasing water demand and the worldwide shortage of clean water call for new technologies for wastewater treatment, of which adsorption is a simple and efficient method to remove organic and inorganic pollutants from contaminated water. Conjugated polymers, particularly for polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene and their derivatives/analogues, have been widely applied in wastewater purification due to their unique properties, such as easy synthesis, porous structure, tunable morphology, good electrorheological property, unique redox chemistry, non-toxicity, etc. This review summarizes potential solutions to wastewater treatment by utilizing conjugated polymer composites as adsorbents. The adsorption phenomenon is briefly introduced, followed by its mechanism investigation techniques. Detailed discussions are focused on the adsorption advantages of polyaniline, polypyrrole and polythiophene based composites to conventional materials. The remaining challenges are also mentioned.