Preparation and characterization of a novel xanthated chitosan

A novel xanthated chitosan derivative was prepared by the chemical reaction of CS2 under alkaline conditions. Spectroscopic studies like FTIR, C-13 NMR, TGA and XRD, SEM, and EPR were used for its characterisation. The chemically modified chitosan (CMC) was evaluated for its adsorption properties for Cr(VI). For a 100 mg/L solution of Cr(VI), the uptake of Cr(VI) by CMC at pH 3,was found to be much enhanced (71 mg/L) compared to the control chitosan (49 mg/L). The CMC can be a potential adsorbent for tannery wastewater treatment. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.