Cellulose/polyaniline derivatives nanocomposites: Synthesis and their performance in removal of anionic dyes from simulated industrial effluents

A series of cellulose/polyaniline derivatives polyaniline (PANI), poly(N‐methylaniline) (PNMANI), and poly(N‐ethylaniline) (PNEANI)] nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization method and successfully applied for removal of acid red 4 and direct red 23 dyes from simulated industrial effluents. The synthesized nanocomposites were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope. The effect of some parameters including pH, adsorbent amount, and initial dyes concentrations on adsorption processes were evaluated. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q_m) for the synthesized nanocomposites were calculated, and among them the Cell/PANI sample showed the highest Q_m for both AR4 (117 mg g^–1) and DR23 (56 mg g^–1) dyes. The regeneration and reusability tests exhibited that the synthesized nanocomposites had the relatively good reusability after five repetitions of the adsorption–desorption cycles. According to results, we envision that these nanocomposites, especially Cell/PANI, find application for removal of anionic dyes from industrial effluents mainly due to their low production costs, high adsorption effectiveness, and relatively good reusability. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45352.