Abstract
Here, we discuss the fabrication and problems of application of chitosan-based composite materials for the removal of hazardous metal ions from tap water and wastewater. The chitosan-based composites containing iron oxides for the uptake of Sr2+ ions were fabricated via a co-precipitation method with variation of the iron/chitosan ratio and pH of the medium. The morphology and composition of the fabricated sorbents were characterized using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. We have shown that the suggested fabrication approach allows for a homogeneous distribution of the inorganic phase in the polymer matrix. Investigations of the sorption performance of the composites have shown that they are efficient sorbents for 90Sr radionuclides uptake from tap water. The composite sorbent containing amorphous iron oxide in a chitosan matrix and calcined at 105 °C showed the best sorption characteristics. We have also demonstrated that there is an optimal iron oxide content in the composite: with increasing oxide content, the efficiency of the sorbents decreases due to poor stability in solution, especially in alkaline media. The alternative approach yielding magnetic chitosan-based composites with sufficiently good sorption performance and stability in neutral and weakly alkaline media is suggested.
Highlights
The development of polymeric sorption materials, in which the natural polysaccharide chitosan is used as a matrix, is a rapidly developing field in the adsorption science
One of the attractive features of chitosan is that it can be used in adsorption processes in various physical forms, such as flakes, powders, nanoparticles, granules, membranes, and fibers/hollow fibers
To improve the mechanical properties and adsorption capacity, or even to prevent dissolution in acid medium of chitosan, numerous studies have been devoted to the chemical modification of chitosan by cross-linking or grafting with different polyfunctional agents [1,2,3]
Summary
The development of polymeric sorption materials, in which the natural polysaccharide chitosan is used as a matrix, is a rapidly developing field in the adsorption science. Chitosan is used as a component of composite or hybrid materials with various inorganic substances or compounds [4]. In such composites, chitosan can be deposited on the surface of a porous material to provide high specific surface area and allow for better availability of active amino groups, improve mechanical properties, and optimize the efficiency of the target component uptake from the solution. Chitosan can be deposited on the surface of a porous material to provide high specific surface area and allow for better availability of active amino groups, improve mechanical properties, and optimize the efficiency of the target component uptake from the solution
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