Abstract

In this study, a novel nanocomposite adsorbent based on Halloysite–polythiophene (HNTs@PTh) was prepared for nicotine adsorption. To this end, thiophene (Th) monomer was polymerized on ball milled yellow powder containing HNTs and FeCl3 oxidant in toluene medium at different temperatures. The nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Finally, the ability of the nanocomposite to remove nicotine from aqueous solution was evaluated in a wide range of pH values at room temperature. The results illustrated that the developed adsorbent has a high desire for nicotine adsorption. It should be mentioned that the adsorption process depends on solution pH and initial nicotine concentration. The obtained data were modeled according to the Freundlich and Longmuir adsorption isotherms.