Bimetallic polyaniline/silver palladium nanocomposite for rapid and sustainable degradation of eosin yellow dye from wastewater

Abstract

Eosin Yellow (EY), a synthetic xanthene dye, is recognized for its high toxicity, posing serious threats to human health and aquatic environments. Chronic exposure to EY can result in skin irritation, respiratory disorders, and potential long-term organ damage due to its persistent and bioaccumulative nature. In this study, a polyaniline-based silver-palladium nanocomposite (PANI/Ag-Pd) was synthesized via the co-precipitation method and employed as an efficient nanocatalyst for the degradation of EY dye. The structural, morphological, and elemental properties of the synthesized nanocomposite were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The UV-Vis and FTIR analyses confirmed the formation of the PANI/Ag-Pd nanocomposite with a notable red shift, indicating electronic interaction among the constituents. SEM images demonstrated the successful incorporation of Ag and Pd nanoparticles into the PANI matrix, while EDX confirmed the elemental composition. The nanocomposite exhibited remarkable photocatalytic performance under microwave irradiation, achieving up to 96.63% degradation of EY dye. This study highlights the potential of PANI/Ag-Pd nanocomposites as a promising nanocatalyst for water purification. These findings contribute to the development of polymer-stabilized nanomaterials as effective candidates for the remediation of dye-contaminated wastewater.