Chitosan-Based Membranes for Wastewater Desalination and Heavy Metal Detoxification

Abstract In recent years, environmental pollution with heavy metal ions has attracted the attention of many research groups worldwide. Contamination with these heavy metal ions has also increased public concern because of their toxicity in relatively low concentrations, their nonbiodegradable nature, and their tendency toward bioaccumulation. Therefore, many low-cost, fast water and wastewater treatment methods are being utilized now. A great amount of research has been accomplished to discover efficient water purification methods at a lower cost and with minimum use of chemicals and negligible impact on the environment. Adsorption using chitosan-based membranes is a reliable, efficient, and low-cost technique for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater. Hence, the use of chitosan-based membranes in wastewater treatment is a fast-emerging field of interest to environmental consultants and public interest groups. This chapter reviews the various preparation and characterization methods for these nanocomposites, their properties, and their application. This chapter also describes the recent developments in chitosan-based membranes, with a special emphasis on metal oxides, nanocomposites, and polymer mixed chitosan membranes.