Paper-based PANI/Enzyme Biofilter Development for Phenol Removal

Abstract

Phenol compounds are used in many industrial areas. Due to their high toxicity and stability, phenol compounds are carcinogenic to humans and animals even at low concentrations during their production and use. For this reason, the removal of phenol contaminants is both necessary and beneficial. Water pollution caused by phenols is one of the most serious problems globally, threatening both people and the environment. Increasing industrial and human activities have led to an increase in wastewater discharge into water resources. These phenolic chemicals are harmful, and although there are different methods used, it is very important to find new materials and effective methods to remove these pollutants from water. This study aimed to convert the phenols purified from water using tyrosinase paste to a less harmful state by making an enzymatic biofilter for phenol removal, thanks to the polyaniline structure we formed on the filter paper, to ensure phenol retention. While this process took place, FeCl3 solution was used as the reactor material, and aniline was turned into polyaniline with FeCl3 solution in HCl. While these processes are being carried out, it is aimed to prepare the most efficient biofilter by using the components that make up the experiment at different concentrations. By calculating the % efficiency of the catechols, absorbance values were measured before and after filtration. It was revealed that the highest percentage of biofilter activity was formed using 0.15 M aniline, 10 KU tyrosinase enzyme, and 1% chitosan concentrations.