ABSTRACT

Recent developments have revealed that biomaterials both in their native or modified states are effective and environmentally friendly adsorbents of pollutants. This study was carried out to investigate the use of chitin and modified derivatives for the removal of crystal violet from aqueous solution. The adsorbents; chitin and its modified derivatives (carboxylated chitin and deacetylated chitin) were compared for their adsorption capabilities in the removal of crystal violet. FT-IR was used to characterize the synthesized adsorbents. Effects of various physico-chemical parameters such as adsorbent dose (0.1 -0.7g), contact time (30 -150mins), pH (2-11) and temperature (30^oC – 80^oC). The study revealed that while native chitin offers moderate adsorption ability for crystal violet, its modified deacetylated derivative is more efficient than its carboxylated derivative for the removal of crystal violet from aqueous solution. The experimental data was analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherm models. Kinetic and thermodynamics studies were also carried out using the experimental data.