K. Vijayalakshmi

Comparative studies on the removal of heavy metals ions onto cross linked chitosan-g-acrylonitrile copolymer.

The graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto cross linked chitosan was carried out using ceric ammonium nitrate as an initiator. The prepared cross linked chitosan-g-acrylonitrile copolymer was characterized using FT-IR and XRD studies. The adsorption behavior of chromium(VI), copper(II) and nickel(II) ions from aqueous solution onto cross linked chitosan graft acrylonitrile copolymer was investigated through batch method. The efficiency of the adsorbent was identified from the varying the contact time, adsorbent dose and pH. The results evident that the adsorption of metal ions increases with the increase of shaking time and metal ion concentration. An optimum pH was found to be 5.0 for both Cr(VI) and Cu(II), whereas the optimum pH is 5.5 for the adsorption of Ni(II) onto cross linked chitosan-g-acrylonitrile copolymer. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were applied to describe the isotherms and isotherm constants. Adsorption isothermal data could be well interpreted by the Freundlich model. The kinetic experimental data properly correlated with the second-order kinetic model. From the above results it was concluded that the cross linked chitosan graft acrylonitrile copolymer was found to be the efficient adsorbent for removing the heavy metals under optimum conditions.

Removal of copper(II) from aqueous solution using nanochitosan/sodium alginate/microcrystalline cellulose beads

The present study was aimed to prepare the novel ternary biopolymeric beads of nanochitosan (NCS)/sodium alginate (SA)/microcrystalline cellulose (MC) for the removal of heavy metal copper from aqueous solution through batch adsorption mode. The polymeric beads were characterized before and after adsorption using FTIR, XRD and EDX-SEM studies. The efficiency of the adsorbent was analyzed by varying the parameters such as initial metal ion concentration, contact time, adsorbent dose and pH. The experimental data obtained were fitted in the isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin models and in pseudo first and second order kinetics studies. The isotherm and kinetics models revealed that the adsorption was found to fit well with Freundlich isotherm and follows pseudo second-order kinetics.

Batch adsorption and desorption studies on the removal of lead (II) from aqueous solution using nanochitosan/sodium alginate/microcrystalline cellulose beads

The feasibility of adsorption and desorption behavior of nanochitosan(NCS)/sodium alginate(SA)/microcrystalline cellulose (MC) bead prepared in 2:8:1 ratio for Pb(II) removal has been investigated through batch studies. The proof of adsorption of Pb(II) ions onto NCS/SA/MC beads was identified from FT-IR and EDX-SEM Studies. Studies of the effect of pH, adsorbent dose, metal ion concentration and temperature reveals that the optimum conditions for adsorption was found to be pH:6; adsorbent dose:4g; initial metal concentration: 62.5mg/L and temperature:50°C. Various equilibrium adsorption isotherm models namely Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and D-R applied for the analysis of isotherm data indicate that the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model was found to be followed. On the basis of kinetic studies, specific rate constants involved in the processes were calculated and the observed result shows that the pseudo second order kinetics was found to be a better fit. The desorption studies reveals that the recovery of Pb(II) from NCS/SA/MC bead was found to be effective by using 0.1M HCl solution. From the results it was evident that the NCS/SA/MC bead showed better Pb(II) uptake performance and regeneration for further use and hence it was found to be an efficient biosorbent for treating industrial effluent.

Removal of toxic heavy metal lead (II) using chitosan oligosaccharide-graft-maleic anhydride/polyvinyl alcohol/silk fibroin composite

The present work was aimed to investigate the efficiency of novel chitosan oligosaccharide-graft-maleic anhydride(COS-g-MAH)/Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/silk fibroin (SF) composite for removing the toxic heavy metal lead (II) ion from aqueous solution by batch adsorption studies. Initially the chitosan oligosaccharide-graft-maleic anhydride copolymer has been prepared by utilizing ceric ammonium nitrate as an initiator and the optimised graft copolymer was then used for synthesizing COS-g-MAH/PVA/SF composite. The prepared samples were analyzed through FTIR and XRD studies. The FTIR results indicate that the grafted chitosan oligosaccharide copolymer was mixed homogeneously with silk fibroin and polyvinyl alcohol through intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The XRD results elucidate the changes in the crystalline behaviour of the prepared COS-g-MAH/PVA/silk fibroin composite. Both FTIR and XRD results revealed a strong interaction among COS-g-MAH, PVA and silk fibroin components. To evaluate the adsorption potential of the synthesized composite, the parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and initial Pb(II)ion concentration was investigated. The adsorption isotherms of Pb(II) could be described very well by Langmuir model and the kinetic results revealed that pseudo second order kinetics shows a better fit. This work provides a practical and high-efficient method for water treatment at moderate concentration of toxic heavy metals.

Nanomaterials history, classification, unique properties, production and market

Abstract In recent years nanoscience and nanotechnology are being developed very rapidly. The reduction of particle size and tunning the particle morphology of materials from micro to nanosize leads to the unique properties and helps in versatile applications. The reason for the nanomaterials (NMs) to exhibit enhanced properties is due to the large surface-to-volume ratio and quantum confinement effect. This chapter discusses the history and development of nanomaterials and nanotechnology, different types and classes of NMs, state of the production, the physicochemical properties of NMs including size, optoelectronic, toxicity, self aggregation and so on.

Development of 3D scaffolds using nanochitosan/silk-fibroin/hyaluronic acid biomaterials for tissue engineering applications

Bone tissue engineering put emphasis on fabrication three-dimensional biodegradable porous scaffolds that supporting bone regeneration and functional bone tissue formation. In the present work, we prepared novel 3D tripolymeric scaffolds of nanochitosan (NCS)/silk fibroin (SF)/hyaluronic acid (HA) ternary blends and demonstrating the synergistic effect of scaffolds and its use in tissue engineering applications. The physico-chemical characterization of the prepared scaffold was evaluated by FTIR, XRD and SEM studies. The FT-IR and XRD results confirmed the interfacial bonding interaction existing between polymers. SEM images showed good interconnected porous structure with rough surface morphology. The in vitro cytocompatibility tests carried out with osteoblast cells by the MTT assay demonstrated that the blended scaffold favors the early adhesion, growth and proliferation of preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. The alizarin red assay indicated that the prepared scaffold can promote the osteogenic differentiation and facilitate the calcium mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. The alkaline phosphatase assay confirmed that the NCS/SF/HA scaffold provide conducive environment for osteoblast proliferation and mineral deposition. The bactericidal action of NCS/SF/HA scaffold reveals that the prepared sample has the potential to kill the microorganisms to a greater extent. Hence the overall findings concluded that the NCS/SF/HA scaffolds have better applications in tissue engineering.

Adsorptive removal of copper (II) and lead (II) using chitosan-g-maleic anhydride-g-methacrylic acid copolymer

In the present work, the maleic anhydride and methacrylic acid monomers were grafted one after another onto chitosan by using ceric ammonium nitrate as the initiator. The optimum conditions for grafting were studied by varying the initiator concentration, monomer concentration and reaction temperature. The synthesized grafted samples were subjected to various analytical techniques such as FTIR, XRD, TGA and DSC methods The proof of formation of graft copolymer was ascertained from the results of FTIR analysis and XRD studies. The TGA and DSC results conclude the highly thermally stable behavior of the prepared graft copolymer sample. The prepared graft copolymer was utilized for removing copper and lead from aqueous solutions and optimum adsorption parameters were evaluated under various pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and initial metal ion concentration. The adsorption and kinetic studies have been explained by Langmuir, Freundlich and pseudo - first order, second order and intra particle diffusion models. From the results, it was seen that Freundlich isotherm was best fit in the case of adsorption studies which followed pseudo second order kinetics. The obtained results showed that the chitosan-g-maleic anhydride-g-methacrylic acid copolymer was very efficient in removing the heavy metals copper and lead from aqueous solution.