Development of a hybrid biocomposite sorbent based on Chitosan and Oxidized fibers for water treatment applications

The contamination of surface waters by toxic substances from industrial and agricultural activities is a major environmental problem worldwide. Heavy metals are particularly of concern due to their recalcitrance and persistence in the environment and thus should be strictly controlled to meet drinking water standards. Adsorption onto activated carbon is widely used for heavy metal removal from wastewater. However, activated carbon is too expensive to treat very large volumes of contaminated water. Therefore, there is a growing need to find cheap and effective alternative sorbents to activated carbon. My project is aiming at the development of a hybrid biocomposite sorbent made from natural polysaccharides such as chitosan and cellulose. These polysaccharides are potential substitutes for organic and inorganic adsorbents due to their structure, physicochemical properties, high reactivity and high affinity for toxic metals. To meet our research objectives, the biocomposite sorbent should have high strength properties, generate low pressure drop, high adsorption capacity and low fouling behavior.

Faculty Supervisor:

Bruno Chabot;Eric Loranger

Student:

Partner:

Stockholm University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

Program: