Biocomposite Materials for Wastewater Remediation: Preparation, Properties and Applications, wiley, ss.27-65, 2026
Chitosan is a biodegradable and biocompatible biopolymer obtained from chitin, attracting increasing attention due to its excellent adsorption performance and compatibility with the environment; thus, it has become a strong candidate for application in wastewater treatment. The chapter deals with the synthesis and characterization of chitosan-based biopolymer materials tailored for wastewater treatment applications. It also provides a critical review of solution casting, blending, and cross-linking methods while pointing to their effect on the structure, morphology, and adsorption characteristics of the produced biopolymer materials. Characterization techniques involve Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), all of which have been used to provide information on chemical composition, surface morphology, and thermal stability for the chitosan-based biopolymer material. It also compares their adsorption efficiency for a wide range of contaminants that could commonly be found in wastewater, like heavy metals and organic pollutants. The following chapter summarizes certain recent developments and innovations in the synthesis and modification of chitosan-based biopolymeric materials with increased adsorption capacity, selectivity, and recyclability for applications related to wastewater treatment. The chapter focuses on the synthesis, characterizations, and possible applications of biopolymer-based materials derived from chitosan with the aim of finding an effective way of removing the problems related to wastewater pollution.