Green solid synthesis of polyaniline-silver oxide nanocomposite for the adsorptive removal of ionic divalent species of Zn/Co and their radioactive isotopes 65 Zn/ 60 Co

A comparative study between two nanosorbents, nanopolyaniline (NPANI) and nanopolyaniline coated with nanosilver oxide (NPANI-NAg 2 O) is explored to dispose the divalent species of Zn/Co from water and radioactive isotopes 65 Zn/ 60 Co from radioactive wastewater using batch and column techniques. NPANI-NAg 2 O nanocomposite was synthesized via solid-solid reaction. Characterization was achieved using FT-IR, TGA, XRD, SEM, HR-TEM, and surface area analysis. The images of SEM and HR-TEM confirmed the success of the modification process and the particle size was found in the range 28.78–68.28 nm (NPANI) and 25.74–85.71 nm (NPANI-NAg 2 O), respectively. Solution pH, contact time, solid dosage, and ionic concentration of the metals were studied as fundamental factors. The obtained results indicated that the optimum conditions to dispose Zn/Co divalent species using NPANI were pH 7 and 30–33 min, while NPANI-NAg 2 O exhibited the optimum conditions at pH 7 and 20–30 min. The maximum removal capacities were 100.1 and 139.75 mg/g for Zn(II) and 57.93 and 112.1 mg/g for Co(II) using NPANI and NPANI-NAg 2 O, respectively. Graphical abstract ᅟ