Greener approach for fabrication of antibacterial graphene-polypyrrole nanoparticle adsorbent for removal of Mn2+ from aqueous solution

Herein, novel, efficient and multifunctional heavy metals adsorbent is developed. Graphene sheets are facilely prepared using ultrasonication process with the aid of polyethyleneglycol. Then, spherical polypyrrole nanoparticles of an average size of 150 nm are polymerized on the surface of prepared graphene sheets using green method yielding nanocomposite. The developed graphene-polypyrrole nanocomposite is exploited for removal and recovery of Mn²⁺ from aqueous solution. The developed graphene-based nanocomposite achieved superior adsorption efficiency for removal of Mn²⁺ ions than polypyrrole nanoparticles of similar particle size. The new adsorbent achieved excellent removal efficiency of Mn²⁺ ions recording 89%. Additionally, the smart adsorbent shows antibacterial properties toward Staphylococcus aureus bacteria providing a clear bacterial inhibition zone of 10 mm