Chitosan nanocomposites for water treatment by fixed-bed continuous flow column adsorption: A review

Nowadays, access to clean water sources worldwide and particularly in Southern Africa is inadequate because of its pollution by organic, inorganic, and microorganism contaminants. A range of conventional water treatment techniques has been used to resolve the problem. However, these methods are currently facing the confronts posed by new emerging contaminants. Therefore, there is a need to develop simple and lower cost-effective water purification methods that use recyclable bio-based natural polymers such as chitosan modified with nanomaterials. These novel functional chitosan-based nanomaterials have been proven to effectively eliminate the different environmental pollutants from wastewater to acceptable levels. This paper aims to present a review of the recent development of functional chitosan modified with carbon nanostructured and inorganic nanoparticles. Their application as biosorbents in fixed-bed continuous flow column adsorption for water purification is also discussed.

Automated summary

The inadequate access to clean water worldwide, especially in Southern Africa, is largely due to pollution by a variety of contaminants. Traditional water treatment methods are facing challenges from new emerging pollutants, necessitating the development of simpler and more cost-effective purification methods using natural polymers like chitosan modified with nanomaterials. Research on functional chitosan-based nanomaterials proves their effectiveness in eliminating environmental pollutants from wastewater.