Synthesis and characterization of a new nanocomposite cation exchanger polyacrylamide Ce(IV) silicophosphate: Photocatalytic and antimicrobial applications

A nanocomposite cation exchanger polyacrylamide Ce(IV) silicophosphate (PAM–CSP)was prepared via sol–gel method. The ion exchange capacity of nanocomposite PAM–CSP was found better (1.42 mequiv. g−1) than its inorganic counterpart Ce(IV) silicophosphate (CSP, 0.84 mequiv. g−1). The material was characterized using different techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM. The various physiochemical properties such as pH titration, elution concentration and elution behavior studies of PAM–CSP were studied. The pH titration studies clearly indicated the bifunctional nature of nanocomposite ion exchanger. The effect of temperature on the ion exchange capacity of the material was also investigated. The photocatalytic activity of PAM–CSP was investigated for the degradation of methylene blue dye which revealed that 83.40% of MB was degraded in 5 h. The antimicrobial activities of PAM–CSP were also ascertained against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.