Potential of Chitosan Hydrogel Based Activated Carbon Nanoparticles and Non-Activated Carbon Nanoparticles for Water Purification

Water pollution has been an alarming concern for researchers due to its hazard to life, human health, and environment. Chitosan and lignocellulose materials have been harnessed for the purification of contaminated water. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential use of chitosan hydrogel filled with activated carbon nanoparticles (ACNPs) and non-activated carbon nanoparticles (n-ACNPs) for water purification. The results of this study revealed that both ACNPs and n-ACNPs were comprised by poly- and single crystals with an average nanofiber diameter of 22.27 nm whereas n-ACNPs were aggregated with diameter size of above 100 nm and was dominated with amorphous region. Limited voids were observed in chitosan/ACNPs hydrogel but n-ACNPs added in chitosan hydrogel were aggregated to form voids. With the addition of ACNPs and n-ACNPs, there was not dramatic change in IR wavenumber. The addition of high ACNPs concentration increased crystallinity index (CrI) of chitosan hydrogel but high addition of n-ACNPs concentration decreased CrI’s chitosan hydrogel. After chitosan/ACNPs and chitosan/n-ACNPs hydrogel were submerged with heavy metals, IR spectra were altered, and the internal surfaces of these hydrogels became different. Both chitosan/ACNPs and chitosan/n-ACNPs hydrogel were able to absorb Fe and Zn effectively over heavy metals of Pb and Cu. Chitosan hydrogel was more effective to kill Escherichia coli than chitosan/ACNPs and chitosan/n-ACNPs hydrogel.

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