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Review
. 2023 Aug 17;9(8):664.
doi: 10.3390/gels9080664.

Chitosan Hydrogels for Water Purification Applications

Mariana Chelu  1 , Adina Magdalena Musuc  1 , Monica Popa  1 , Jose M Calderon Moreno  1
Affiliations
Review

Chitosan Hydrogels for Water Purification Applications

Mariana Chelu et al. Gels. .

Abstract

Chitosan-based hydrogels have gained significant attention for their potential applications in water treatment and purification due to their remarkable properties such as bioavailability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, environmental friendliness, high pollutants adsorption capacity, and water adsorption capacity. This article comprehensively reviews recent advances in chitosan-based hydrogel materials for water purification applications. The synthesis methods, structural properties, and water purification performance of chitosan-based hydrogels are critically analyzed. The incorporation of various nanomaterials into chitosan-based hydrogels, such as nanoparticles, graphene, and metal-organic frameworks, has been explored to enhance their performance. The mechanisms of water purification, including adsorption, filtration, and antimicrobial activity, are also discussed in detail. The potential of chitosan-based hydrogels for the removal of pollutants, such as heavy metals, organic contaminants, and microorganisms, from water sources is highlighted. Moreover, the challenges and future perspectives of chitosan-based hydrogels in water treatment and water purification applications are also illustrated. Overall, this article provides valuable insights into the current state of the art regarding chitosan-based hydrogels for water purification applications and highlights their potential for addressing global water pollution challenges.

Keywords: adsorption; bio-chitosan; bio-polymers; chitosan; dyes; heavy metals; hydrogels; pharmaceuticals contaminants; wastewaters; water treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Major sources and common pathways of pollutants in water.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diagram of the chitosan-based hydrogel preparation method. (Notation: CNs—cellulose nanomaterials; CS—chitosan; CDs—carbon dots; CD—glutaric dialdehyde; EDC—N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N’-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride; NHS—N-hydroxysuccinimide). Reprinted with permission from ref. [72] Copyright 2023, Elsevier.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Number of publications (articles and reviews) of chitosan for water purification from 2013 to August 2023; (b) publications by subject area (articles and reviews) of chitosan for water purification from 2013 to August 2023; (c) number of publications (articles and reviews) of chitosan hydrogels for water purification from 2013 to August 2023. Data were collected using the Scopus database [75].
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Number of publications (articles and reviews) of chitosan for water purification from 2013 to August 2023; (b) publications by subject area (articles and reviews) of chitosan for water purification from 2013 to August 2023; (c) number of publications (articles and reviews) of chitosan hydrogels for water purification from 2013 to August 2023. Data were collected using the Scopus database [75].
Scheme 1
Scheme 1
Adsorption mechanisms of pollutants from water by chitosan-based hydrogels.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Representation of the synthesis process and the structure of the composite hydrogel. Reprinted with permission from ref. [93] Copyright 2023, Elsevier.
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Dependence of the adsorption capacity and adsorbent removal rate on the amount of adsorbent (initial concentration: 25 mg/L; pH 10)—inset is the digital photographs of MB solution with and without treatment with different amounts of adsorbent; (b) UV–Vis spectra of MB solution (25 mg/L) before and after adsorption with 3 g/L of adsorbents. Reprinted with permission from ref. [93] Copyright 2023, Elsevier.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(a) Adsorption capacity for MB in various waters; removal rate toward MB in (b) seawater, (c) Yellow River water, (d) Yangtze River water, (e) tap water; and (f) adsorption capacity at different adsorption/desorption cycles (MB concentration: 500 mg/L; initial pH 10; temperature: 30 °C). Reprinted with permission from ref. [93] Copyright 2023, Elsevier.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Adsorption tests of CPX hydrogel: (1) gentian violet; (2) methyl orange; (3) eosin; (a) stock solution; (b) initial time; (c) after 24 h [97].
Figure 8
Figure 8
(a) Photo obtained under daylight and UV light of CHs with different ratios; (b) SEM images; (c) optical microscopy images; (d) XRD spectra; (e) FTIR spectra; (f) UV–Vis and fluorescence spectra; (g) excitation-dependent fluorescence behavior. Reprinted with permission from ref. [72] Copyright 2023, Elsevier.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Representation of TC adsorption and detection mechanisms. Reprinted with permission from ref. [72] Copyright 2023, Elsevier.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Optical images of CPX hydrogel: wet (left) and dry (right) [97].
Figure 11
Figure 11
SEM micrographs at different magnifications showing the microstructure of CPX hydrogel; (a,b) bundles of 2D stacked sheet-like structures, (c,d) magnified images (below 100 nm); a magnified image (300,000×), at the position marked with an ‘x’ [97].
Figure 12
Figure 12
Graphic representation of MCC-PDA-PEI/CS-PDA-PEI hydrogel. Reprinted with permission from ref. [110] Copyright 2023, Elsevier.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Representation of the formation mechanism of organic aluminum (Al) frameworks functionalized with 2-aminobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (ABCD) and incorporated into hybrid CS beads. Reprinted with permission from ref. [164] Copyright 2023, Elsevier.
Scheme 2
Scheme 2
Schematic representation of chitosan-based hydrogels in various industries.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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