SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PANI/TiO2 COMPOSITE FOR PHOTOCATALYTIC ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION

Environmental pollution poses a significant global challenge. This work details the synthesis and characterization of polyaniline (PANI) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) composite materials for their application in catalytic environmental remediation. The integration of PANI, a conductive polymer, with TiO2 was aimed at enhancing the efficiency and broadening the applicability of TiO2 in degrading various environmental pollutants. This work employed the approach of mechanochemical mixing of pre-synthesized PANI and TiO2. The choice of synthesis method was critical to determine the surface area, porosity, and the degree of PANI encapsulation of TiO2 particles. Composites are multifaceted, employing a range of analytical techniques. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) was used to confirm the crystalline phases of PANI/TiO2. Pure polyaniline (PANI) has a 2theta value of 21.1(3), and after TiO2 was incorporated into polyaniline, there was a shift from 21.1 degrees for PANI to 27.05 degrees for PANI-TiO2, indicating an interaction between TiO2 and polyaniline that alters their respective crystalline structures. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy provided insights into the chemical interactions within the composite. The presence of N-H, O-H, and C=N peaks confirms that both materials retain their essential chemical identities. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image of pure PANI revealed a fibrous structure, characterized by elongated fibers. TiO2 particles were observed to be uniformly distributed within the PANI matrix. This distribution leads to a more compact structure compared to pure PANI, as TiO2 particles fill in gaps between PANI chains, reducing porosity while increasing overall surface area. The synergistic effect between PANI and TiO2 improved visible light absorption and efficient charge separation, overcoming the limitations of pure TiO2. This research highlights the potential of PANI/TiO2 composites as effective and sustainable photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater. Photocatalysis, utilizing semiconductor materials, offers a promising and sustainable approach for the degradation of pollutants into less harmful substances.