HYDROLYZED CHITOSAN/POLYVINYL ALCOHOL NANOFIBERS FUNCTIONALIZED BY IONIC LIQUID FOR HEAVY METAL IONS REMOVAL

The increasing rates of heavy metal ions pollution such as lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) from industrial activities in water bodies is a major threat for the environment. Therefore, the removal of these heavy metals from the environment is very important. Even though there are various techniques to treat metal-contaminated wastewater, adsorption process is known to be an effective and economical technique. Chitosan has been used as a bio-sorbent to remove heavy metal ions as it has amino and hydroxyl group which is known to be the active binding sites for metal ions. However, it has low adsorption capacity, low solubility in many solvents, and has a high viscosity that makes it difficult to be processed. The main objective of this study is to develop electrospun nanofibers chitosan membranes to increase the active site for adsorption and further functionalize by ionic liquid to overcome their limitations of low adsorption capacity.