Simultaneous Removal of As(iii) and As(v) from Aqueous Solution by Using Iron-Functionalized Polythiophene: A Novel Approach toward Water Treatment

Rupkamal Chetia; Shrutipriya Devi; Nishant Shukla; Abhishek Hazarika; Shreemoyee Bordoloi; Binod Pokhrel; Binoy K Saikia; Ankur Gogoi; Surajit Konwer

doi:10.1021/acsomega.4c03184

Simultaneous Removal of As(iii) and As(v) from Aqueous Solution by Using Iron-Functionalized Polythiophene: A Novel Approach toward Water Treatment

ACS Omega. 2024 Aug 22;9(35):37012-37024. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.4c03184. eCollection 2024 Sep 3.

Authors

Rupkamal Chetia¹, Shrutipriya Devi¹, Nishant Shukla², Abhishek Hazarika³, Shreemoyee Bordoloi⁴, Binod Pokhrel⁵, Binoy K Saikia³, Ankur Gogoi⁶, Surajit Konwer¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, 786004, India.
² Department of Physics, The Assam Kaziranga University, Koraikhowa, Jorhat, Assam 785006, India.
³ Coal & Energy Division, CSIR - North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, Assam 785006, India.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, MDKG College, Dibrugarh, Assam 786001, India.
⁵ Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam 784028, India.
⁶ Department of Physics, JB College, Jorhat, Assam 785001, India.

Abstract

Arsenic contamination in groundwater poses a significant threat to human health, affecting millions worldwide. This study presents a novel approach for simultaneous remediation of both As(III) and As(V) by using iron-functionalized polythiophene (PTh@Fe) composites. The PTh@Fe composite was synthesized by a reduction process involving FeCl₂/FeCl₃ byproducts of polymerization, resulting in a highly efficient adsorbent for both As(III) and As(V) species. The investigation systematically examined key parameters influencing arsenic removal, including adsorbent dosage, pH, initial arsenic concentration, and contact time. The composite exhibited exceptional adsorption capacities, with maximum removal percentages of 98.7% for As(III) and 98.8% for As(V) under the optimized conditions. Thermodynamic and kinetic analyses suggested endothermic and spontaneous adsorption processes following a pseudo 2nd-order mechanism. Furthermore, the Langmuir isotherm model provided an excellent fit to the experimental data, with maximum adsorption capacities of 8.62 mg/g for As(V) and 7.57 mg/g for As(III). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed the feasibility of arsenic adsorption onto iron species in various oxidation states, offering valuable theoretical insights into the process. Furthermore, the composite demonstrated good reusability over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles and tolerance to coexisting anions, highlighting its practical applicability for water purification. This research demonstrates the potential of iron-functionalized polythiophene composites as a promising solution for addressing arsenic contamination in water sources, bridging the gap between innovative materials and theoretical understanding in environmental science and water treatment technologies.