MAGNETIC CHITOSAN NANOCOMPOSITES AS ADSORBENTS IN INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT: A BRIEF REVIEW

In recent decades, the increasing demand for chemicals has led to producing large volumes of wastewater streams, which should be treated before their release into the environment. Chitosan, a marine polysaccharide derived from chitin, has recently attracted great attention as a promising adsorbent to eliminate ionic dyes and metals from industrial waste streams. Nevertheless, chitosan has its drawbacks, such as its rather weak mechanical properties, low surface area and difficult separation from final streams. The incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles into chitosan may be considered as one of the most effective remedies for the mentioned challenges. This paper addresses the efforts that have been recently made for the application of magnetic nanoparticles/chitosan nanocomposites (MCNCs) as adsorbents in wastewater treatment. In this regard, the synthesis methods, physicochemical properties, and the effects of operational conditions on the performance of MCNCs have been reviewed. The adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and mechanisms are also highlighted.