Abstract
A novel nanocomposite polyaniline-iron manganese oxide (PANI-FeMnO3) is successfully synthesized via in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidizing agent and FeMnO3 bimetallic nanoparticles. FeMnO3 bimetallic nanoparticles are prepared by a temperature-controlled solvothermal method to obtain desired morphology. The morphology of synthesized products is confirmed by SEM and STEM analysis. XRD analysis provided that bimetallic nanoparticles are highly crystalline however, nanocomposites have amorphous nature due to the presence of polymer. FTIR patterns of PANI and PANI-FeMnO3 nanocomposite have characteristic peaks at 1543 cm-1, indicating the electron delocalization in the conductive emeraldine form of PANI. Catalytic efficiency of the FeMnO3 bimetallic nanoparticles and PANI-FeMnO3 nanocomposites as catalysts in organic dyes and nitroarenes reduction is studied. Different parameters such as kapp, reduction time, percentage reduction and reduced concentration are performed to assess the catalytic activity of both catalysts. Among all substrates, highest kapp value is 0.186 min-1 for 2,4-DNP with PANI-FeMnO3 nanocomposite. Effect of type and orientation of functional groups, nature of bonds and steric hindrance on the reduction rate of substrates is also studied. The efficiency of FeMnO3 bimetallic nanoparticles and PANI-FeMnO3 nanocomposite as nano additives is also evaluated and compared by investigating the physical and combustion parameters of commercial diesel. Fuel efficiency is observed to be greatly enhanced by increasing the dosage of nano additives. The results indicate that the efficiency of PANI-FeMnO3 nanocomposite is greater than that FeMnO3 bimetallic nanoparticles.