Development of high surface area polyaniline composites and performance evaluation of volatile organic compounds removal

Industrial wastewater containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are contaminating groundwater or surface water in urban areas. This is not only polluting the water, but also polluting atmosphere by emitted into the atmosphere. The most common treatment method of treating VOCs in aqueous system is adsorption of volatilized VOCs separated from the water by steam stripping using activated carbon. However, the activated carbon's adsorption efficiency is reduced because of the high moisture content of the VOCs generated during the vaporization process. As a result, it is necessary to develop an adsorption medium with high adsorption efficiency and low moisture sensitivity. Polyaniline (PANI) creates a porous 3D structure by polymerizing monomer aniline into randomly entangled rod shapes. When phytic acid is mixed with such polyanline, a structure with a certain structure is formed, and through this, an adsorbent with a large specific surface area can be prepared. The optimal condition was determined through PANI and ACP characterization as well as phenol and VOC adsorption tests in water (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)). Characterization (FE-SEM, HR-TEM, BET, FTIR, XRD) of PANI and ACP were also carried out.