UV/O<sub>3</sub> Preirradiated Cotton Fabric-Containing Chitosan for Effective Removal of Heavy Metals

Abstract

The present work aims at studying the effect of Ultra-Violet/Ozone (UV/O3) irradiation of cotton fabrics on their interaction with chitosan/citric acid based formulation and, the onset of this on the ability of treated fabrics to remove heavy metal ions from their aqueous solutions. To achieve the goal, the cotton fabrics were preirradiated for 90 minutes using UV/O3 as radiation source. The irradiated and the unirrdadiated cotton fabrics were submitted to finishing formulation consisting essentially of chitosan as a finishing agent and citric acid as crosslinking agent in combination with sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as a catalyst. Finishing formulation containing different concentrations of chitosan (0-4) along with citric acid (8 g/l) and SHP (4 g/l) were used and the interaction of chitosan with the cotton fabric was assessed through nitrogen measurement. The preirradiated and chemically finished fabrics vis-à-vis the unirrdadiated fabrics were examined for metal ion removal. Results conclude that the preirradiated cotton fabrics exhibit higher nitrogen content than the unirrdadiated fabrics. The same holds true for heavy metal removal, exemplified by Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ ions from their aqueous solutions. That is, preirradiated fabrics containing chitosan display higher percent heavy metal removal than their unirrdadiated mates.

Innovative Approach for Effecting Improved Mordant Dyeing of Cotton Textiles

“…In a recent study (20) , samples of cotton fabric were subjected to UV/O 3 irradiation and the obtained irradiated samples were treated with chitosan. Changes in surface characteristics as well as in micro-morphological features of cotton cellulose were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).…”

“…The interaction of the irradiated fabrics with chitosan seems to be affected substantially by morphological and microstructure changes and their onset on the nature and surface area of cotton cellulose in addition to creation of reducing aldehydic and acidic carboxylic groups under the oxidative action of UV/O 3 radiation. Nevertheless, chitosan concentrations play essential role in determining the magnitude of chitosan-irradiated cotton interaction (20) .…”

“…We have very recently disclosed (20) that exposure of cotton cellulose to UV/O 3 radiation causes substantial cleavages in the physical and chemical structure of the cellulose. The latter undergoes alterations in morphology, microstructure and surface characteristics in addition to creation of aldehydic and carboxylic groups.…”