Chitosan nanoparticles extracted from shrimp shells, application for removal of Fe(II) and Mn(II) from aqueous phases

The present work aims to prepare an ecofriendly and effective material for adsorption of heavy metals, especially iron and manganese from polluted water. Chitosan nanoparticles were prepared from the extracted chitosan of shrimp shells waste using a traditional ionic gelation method in presence of sodium tripolyphosphate as a cross-linker. To confirm the polymer structure and its characteristics, the prepared nanoparticles were characterized using FT-IR, X-Ray diffraction, TEM and SEM. Molecular weight, the degree of de-acetylation, ash content, particle size and zeta potential values were 3923 D, 75 %, 4 %, 331 nm and +38 mv, respectively. A batch equilibrium experiments were carried out to evaluate the chitosan nanoparticles as adsorbents of Fe (II) and Mn (II) ions from aqueous solutions. The removal efficiency and adsorption capacity were studied at different contact times, pH of the sorption medium, and initial metal ion concentration in the feed solution. The removal efficiency and maximum adsorption capacity of Fe (II) and Mn (II) were 99.8, 116.2 mg/g and 95.3%, 74.1mg/g, respectively. From the adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies, it was found that the Langmuir and the pseud-second order models, respectively, were more fitted in this study.