Synthesis of PANI/NiHCF Nanocomposite Particles and EQCM Measurement of Ion Exchange Properties in Solutions Containing Cd~(2+)

The PANI/NiHCF nanocomposite particles were synthesized on the CNTs-modified Pt substrate by one-step co-polymerization using cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance(EQCM) technique was adopted to investigate the polymerization process of the nanocomposite particles and the mechanism of ion exchange in aqueous solution containing Cd2+. The morphology and structure of the as-prepared composite particles were characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM), transmission electron microscope(TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR). Combined with cyclic voltammetry(CV) and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), the electrochemical behavior and the mechanism of ion exchange was also investigated in electrolytes of Cd2+. Experimental results indicated that the cubic nanocomposite particles of PANI/NiHCF were formed and distributed uniformly on the CNTs substrate. The particles exhibited good electroactivity and reversible electrochemical behavior in aqueous solution containing Cd2+, and the Cd2+ions could be separated from aqueous solutions by ESIX processes.