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Biodegradable polymers play a vital role in their use as adsorbents inrecent years. Among them chitin and chitosan are important. Chitosan, a derivative of chitin exists in various crustacean biomasses. These are largely available from seafood industry waste. These are extensively studied as an adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater. This is due to the presence of free amine and hydroxyl groups in chitosan which are non toxic. The purpose of this study was to develop novel chitosan-based biopolymer granular adsorbents for enhanced removal of heavy metal ions. The present research aims at synthesis and characterization of mechanically strong chitosan based materials for the removal of heavy metal from wastewater. In conclusion, novel chitosan-based adsorbents with good mechanical strength, high adsorption capacity, excellent adsorption selectivity and wide pH application range have been successfully developed. Which will be helpful in environmental applications to remove heavy metal ions from untreated water or wastewater.

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Dr. N. Prakash, M .Sc., B.Ed., M .Phil., Ph. D is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, Thangavelu Engineering College, Chennai, India and Dr. S. Arungalai Vendan, the co-author is an associate professor, School of Electrical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore,India.They have authored several research papers in reputed jounals

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