Preparation of a chitosan-based anionic exchanger for removal of bromide, chloride, iodide and phosphate ions from aqueous solutions

The development of a chitosan anion exchanger, obtained from shrimp shells, and its adsorption capacity for chloride, bromide, iodide and phosphate anions are provided. Dependence of exchange processes with the anions as a function of pH and contact time between exchanger and anions were initially investigated. Results showed that the best adsorption of ions occurred at pH 3.0. Exchange isotherms were then developed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich mathematical models. Results demonstrated that chitosan produced from shrimp shells may be used as feedstock in the manufacture of anion exchange microspheres.