Preparation and sorption activity of chitosan/cellulose blend beads

Chitosan microspheres prepared by spray-drying process have a spherical geometry and a smooth surface morphology. These microspheres are found to have a particle size below 3 mum and dissolve readily in N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO). A novel natural polymer chitosan/cellulose blend beads were prepared via homogeneous dissolution of chitosan and cellulose in NMMO. The SEM micrographs of chitosan/cellulose blend beads show that a rough and folded surface morphology and an interior pore structure of beads were obtained. Deodorizing properties of these beads against trimethylamine (TMA) was investigated. We also examined the metal ion sorption properties against Cu(II), Fe(III) and Ni(II) ions. From the sorption activity studies of chitosan/cellulose blend beads that show the chitosan/cellulose blend beads have potential applications for odor treatment as well as metal ions adsorption. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.