Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan/Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Zeolite Composite by Solution Blending Method

Polymer/clay composites have been studied for several decades; in the study, polymer/zeolite composite beads have been prepared by a simple solution blending method using chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone and zeolite particles as organic and inorganic components, respectively. Different techniques, such as SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry have been used to characterize the composite beads. Chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone/zeolite (CH/PVP/Z) beads are expected to have a potential as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment. To investigate its applicability, copper (II) was selected as a model compound. The results showed that the composite beads had effective loading capacity and it is a promising adsorbent for heavy metal removal.