The influence of crystalline structure of cellulose in chitosan-based biocomposites on removal of Ca(II), Mg(II), Fe(III) ion in aqueous solutions

In this work, the influence of the supermolecular structure of cellulosic fillers in chitosan matrix on the process of adsorption of calcium, magnesium and iron metal ion was analyzed, while using techniques such as: X-ray diffraction, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, FTIR spectroscopy, particle size analysis, and wettability angle. It has been shown that polymorphic form of cellulose significantly affects its particle size. The introduction of cellulosic filler into polymer matrix was responsible for changes in the sorption efficiency of chitosan composites. It was found that materials with nanocellulose II were characterized with the highest efficiency of adsorption. This interesting relationship has not been reported in the literature, yet. It is important especially in terms of designing composite materials with high adsorption capacity. In the presented paper this issue was discussed, taking into account crystallographic aspects as well as changes in the hydrophilicity of the surface of composite materials. Composite materials were also subjected to mechanical tests which showed some interesting increase in tensile strength when compared to the unfilled polymer.