Arginine-Polyaniline Embedded Jujube Shells Composite for Outstanding Cr(VI) Detoxification from aqueous solution

Abstract

A hybrid composite, denoted as arginine-functionalized polyaniline@jujube shells (Arg-PANI@JS), was designed by oxidative polymerization of monomer-aniline on the surface of jujube shells matrix in the occurrence of arginine. This adsorbent was subsequently characterized and used in hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) adsorption assays. An experimental batch adsorption setup was utilized to assess the effectiveness of the newly developed adsorbent in detoxifying Cr(VI) ions from the solution. The experimental results were successfully anticipated by a pseudo-second-order model (PSO) and the Freundlich isotherm with a maximum uptake capacity of 1142.86 mg.g⁻¹. The thermodynamic investigation showed that the process was both spontaneous and endothermic. The pivotal driving force behind elucidating the binding mechanism of Cr(VI) species was determined to be electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, our assessment demonstrated that the Arg-PANI@JS composite can be readily regenerated using a NaOH solution and effectively reutilized for removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Consequently, these findings underscore the promising practical utilization of the Arg-PANI@JS composite in wastewater treatment.