Authors:
N. Kohila, Sheila Agnes Vidot, Fatma Bassyouni, Fatima Hamouche, Selçuk Bulat, Jaime Alfonso Flores Navas

Addresses:
Department of Chemistry, Aditanar College of Arts and Science, Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. Department of Medical Consultants, IPS Health, Mahe, Seychelles. Department of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt. Department of Chemistry, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Morocco. Department of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, Institute of Natural Sciences, Sakarya University, Serdivan, Sakarya, Turkey. Faculty of Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico.

Abstract:

An advanced organic–inorganic hybrid nano-composite cation exchanger, poly-O-toluidine-bismuth (III) phosphotungstate (POT/Bi (III)PT), was successfully synthesised via a sol–gel mixing method. Researchers systematically characterized the material's physicochemical and structural properties using FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, and SEM, confirming the formation of a distinct nano-composite structure. The size and charge of the exchanging ions governed ion-exchange behaviour. The hybrid material exhibited enhanced ion-exchange capacity, following the selectivity sequence K+ > Na+ for alkali metals and Ba2+ > Sr2+ for alkaline earth metals, indicating that smaller hydrated ionic radii facilitate smoother intra-pore diffusion. Elution kinetics showed optimised H+ ion release at a minimum NaCl eluent concentration of 0.4 M, with the material reaching equilibrium at 5 hours. Chemical stability trials demonstrated that the POT/Bi(III)PT composite is remarkably robust in distilled water, metal salt solutions, and highly concentrated acidic media. However, it undergoes hydrolytic degradation in alkaline environments. Combining superior ion-exchange performance, high reproducibility, and strong structural stability, this newly developed nano-composite holds significant promise as an effective candidate for column operations and environmental remediation applications.

Keywords: Hybrid Cation Exchanger; Chemical Stability; Conductive Polymer; Nano-Composite Ion Exchanger; Sol-Gel Synthesis; Ion-Exchange Capacity; Scanning Electron Microscopy; Chemical Stability.

Received on: 13/11/2024, Revised on: 08/02/2025, Accepted on: 03/06/2025, Published on: 15/09/2026

DOI: 10.69888/FTSASS.2026.000772

FMDB Transactions on Sustainable Applied Sciences, 2026 Vol. 3 No. 2, Pages: 116-130

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