The Application of Chitosan-Based Adsorbents for the Removal of Hazardous Pollutants from Aqueous Solutions—A Review

Abstract

The development of simple, effective, economical, and environmentally friendly methods for removing hazardous substances of anthropogenic origin from aquatic systems is currently one of the greatest challenges, among others, due to the variety of pollutants and the transformations they may undergo in the environment. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in adsorption methods based on the use of natural polymers, including non-toxic chitosan (CS), which is characterized by good coating properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. This review concerns the latest developments (since 2019) in the application of novel chitosan-based materials for the removal of hazardous substances (e.g., metal and metalloid ions, synthetic dyes, pharmaceuticals) from aqueous solutions, with particular emphasis on their most important advantages and limitations, as well as their potential impact on sustainability.

Chitosan extraction from Amanita phalloides: yield, crystallinity, degree of deacetylation, azo dye removal and antibacterial properties

“…Its reusability stands out as a key advantage in wastewater treatment, promising cost-effectiveness and sustainability ( da Silva Alves et al, 2021 ). Numerous studies have delved into the reusability of chitosan-based adsorbents, consistently showing that chitosan can be regenerated and reused multiple times without compromising its adsorption capacity or performance ( Dago-Serry et al, 2024 ; Kaczorowska and Bożejewicz, 2024 ). Typically, the regeneration process involves desorbing the adsorbed contaminants from the chitosan matrix using appropriate desorbing agents, followed by washing and drying for subsequent reuse ( Soares et al, 2021 ).…”