Synthesis of ethylenediamine modified chitosan microspheres for removal of divalent and hexavalent ions.

Ethylenediamine modified chitosan was obtained in the form of microspheres by chemical crosslinking with gluteraldehyde and evaluated for the effective removal of metal ions. The present modification results in additional nitrogen centers which function as potential binding sites and the microsphere form enhances the specific surface area during adsorption of metal ions. The adsorbent was used in batch experiments to evaluate the adsorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cr(VI) in a individual metal salt solutions. The samples exhibited highest affinity for Cu(II) and least for Cr(VI) ions. The adsorption data were interpreted based on Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained from Langmuir model is 60.9 mg g(-1). The modified microspheres can be regenerated with high efficiency, suggesting that this adsorbent is satisfactory to reuse.

Synthesis of ethylenediamine modified chitosan and evaluation for removal of divalent metal ions.

Selective modification of chitosan has been achieved by incorporating ethylene-1,2-diamine molecule in a regioselective manner using N-phthaloylchitosan and chloro-6-deoxy N-phthaloylchitosan as precursors. The present modification results in additional nitrogen centres which function as potential binding sites during adsorption of metal ions. The derivative ethylene-1,2-diamine-6-deoxy-chitosan and its pthaloylated precursor have been evaluated for divalent metal ion removal. The former is found to have higher capacity for adsorption due to the presence of additional NH2 group. The samples exhibited highest affinity for Cu and least for Zn. About 80% of the adsorbed metal ions could be stripped in a solution of pH 1.2. The interaction between acidic metal centres and basic nitrogen centres on surface of the adsorbent appears to govern adsorption. Intrachain and interchain co-ordinate bonding involving NH and NH2 groups is proposed to be the mechanism of formation of metal-adsorbent complex. The adsorption process is described by Langmuir model.

Preparation of substituted quaternized arylfuran chitosan derivatives and their antimicrobial activity.

Heterocyclic modification of chitosan has been achieved through the formation of a Schiff base intermediate by the reaction of chitosan with substituted arylfurfural. The Schiff bases were further reacted with 10% sodium borohydride followed by reaction with methyl iodide to get the quaternized products. The formation of the Schiff bases and quaternized derivatives has been confirmed by elemental analysis, FTIR, (1)H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. The compounds are also characterized by thermo-gravimetric analysis. The parent compound and quaternized derivatives were compared for their antibacterial and antifungal activity. The results indicated that quaternized derivatives possess better inhibitory property than chitosan. Further this study confirms that heterocyclic aromatic substituent containing 'Cl' and 'NO2' are effective in enhancing the antimicrobial activity of Chitosan.