Preparation and properties of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend foams for copper adsorption

  • Xiao Wang
  • , Yong Sik Chung
  • , Won Seok Lyoo
  • , Byung Gil Min*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Abstract

A new form of polymer blend, macroporous chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) foams made by a starch expansion process, exhibits the functionalities of chitosan while avoiding its poor mechanical properties and chemical instabilities. The appropriate conditions for foaming are discussed using both insoluble and water-soluble chitosan. The chitosan/PVA foams demonstrated interconnected and open-cell structures with large pore size from tens to hundreds of micrometers and high porosities from 73.6 to 84.3%. Glutaraldehyde was employed to improve the retention of chitosan and copper adsorption of the chitosan/ PVA foams. While it increased the retention of chitosan and the adsorption capacities, glutaraldehyde decreased the pore size and porosity. The macroporous structure of the chitosan/PVA foams indicates extensive application prospects in terms of the considerable adsorption of heavy metal ions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1230-1235
Number of pages6
JournalPolymer International
Volume55
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006.11

Keywords

  • Adsorption
  • Chitosan
  • Foam
  • Heavy metal
  • Poly(vinyl alcohol)

Quacquarelli Symonds(QS) Subject Topics

  • Materials Science
  • Engineering - Petroleum
  • Chemistry

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