Adsorbent biocomposite processed into an aerogel made with synthesized chitosan

Abstract

A biocomposite adsorbent processed as a chitosan (CS) aerogel and lignocellulose nanofibers (NFLC) in a 3:1 ratio in a sol-gel process, subsequently dried by lyophilization using a solvent selected from water in an aqueous solution of 0.25% v / v acetic acid, is processed into an aerogel and molded into a cylindrical shape using a Teflon cylindrical mold. This biocomposite possesses the following characteristics: it is a renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic biocomposite; it can be processed / manufactured in aqueous media, ensuring low production costs; it is a highly porous material with high adsorption capacity; it is resistant to acidic and basic pH; and its surface is rich in functional groups (OH, COOH, NH2), which, under optimal pH conditions, provide selectivity for copper adsorption.