A novel method for the fabrication of proton conducting and antimicrobial Tin Cerium Phosphate-polyaniline nanocomposite ion exchange material

In-situ polymerization method was adapted to prepare a novel tin cerium phosphate-polyaniline nano composite ion exchange material. The physico-chemical properties of the material were determined using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray diffraction study showed that the composite material formed is highly crystalline in nature, whereas its inorganic counterpart, tin cerium phosphate is amorphous in nature. The composite was formed in the nano range. SEM image of the composite depicts its needle-like morphology. The pH titration studies revealed bifunctional strong acid behavior of the exchanger. The newly synthesized composite materials exhibit better ion exchange capacity as well as better thermal and chemical stability than known materials. The material was found to be highly selective for toxic heavy metal ions like Pb(II) based on distribution studies,. The material also demonstrated good adsorbent capability for organic pollutants like dyes from an aqueous solution. The proton conducting behavior of the nano composite was studied using a solatron (1255B FRA FI1287 Electrochemical Phase) impedance analyzer and showed proton conductivity of the order of 10-3 S cm-1. The antibacterial activity of tin cerium phosphate-polyaniline was explored against staphylococcus aureus. The results confirmed the bacteriostatic nature of the material.