Comparison of the Uptake of Cadmium Ion on Chitosan and Chitosan/2,7 - Naphthalenediol Nanocomposite

Risk to human health arising from intake of heavy metals in foods and water is of great concern, one of the major application of chitosan and its derivative is its ability to chelate strongly metal ions. This adsorption capacity could be increased by crosslinking or forming its nanocomposite. In this research study, chitosan/2,7 - naphthalenediol nanocomposite was formed, the nanocomposite was characterized using FTIR spectrophotometer and UV/Visible spectrophotometer. The adsorption of cadmium ion by the nanocomposite and chitosan alone was studied for comparison using CdCl2 solution containing Cd (II) ions. Amount of cadmium ion adsorb by each of them was studied at different time interval and evaluated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed that chitosan/2,7 - naphthalenediol nanocomposite would adsorb maximum Cd2+ concentration of 0.017 mg/g at 20 minutes stirring time, while chitosan alone would adsorb maximum Cd2+ concentration of 0.016 mg/g at 10 minutes stirring time. It is therefore concluded from this study that both the chitosan and the nanocomposite have demonstrated almost the same degree of efficiency towards the removal of Cd2+ ion from aqueous medium and therefore both can be used in the treatment or removal of heavy metal ions from industrial effluents and other waste water.