Synthesis and Application of Chitosan-Starch Based Nanocomposite in Wastewater Treatment for the Removal of Anionic Commercial Dyes
Synthesis and Application of Chitosan-Starch Based Nanocomposite in Wastewater Treatment for the Removal of Anionic Commercial Dyes
Amtul Jamil Sami1*, Madeeha Khalid1, Sara Iqbal1, Maira Afzal1 and A.R. Shakoori2
ABSTRACT
Chitosan is a cationic biopolymer that can be used for sustainable waste water treatment as a coagulant-flocculent due to its ability to coagulate various ionic substances such as metal ions as well as dyes. In the current study novel polymer composites were prepared using natural polymers chitosan and starch in molds. Structure of composites was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The physical parameters such as weight and swelling degree of composite were studied. Chitosan starch based composites were used in treatment of waste water to remove a toxic anionic dye Congo red. Congo red solution (0.015 mM) was treated with polymer composite at neutral pH overnight with 150 rpm orbital shaking at room temperature. The same procedure was performed for commercial dyes. The dye was removed due to the interaction with the polysaccharide starch and flocculation phenomenon. Chitosan starch based polymer composites can be used as an efficient and cost effective method to treat waste water polluted with carcinogenic dyes by coagulation-flocculation. Moreover this method is beneficial over other methods that employ toxic polymers or mineral coagulants.
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