Synthesis and Utility of Chitosan-Aloe Vera based Bioflocculant Composite for Cleaning Industrial Effluents

Abstract

Lack of fresh water and pollution have become some of the most serious problems in the global community due to ambitious industrialization, development and increased human population. This research aims at the synthesis of a chitosan/Aloe vera bio flocculant composite with a view of providing a green technology for wastewater treatment. The primary application covers the reduction of metal and non-metallic pollutants through adsorption processes. This study provides the details for the synthesis of the bio-flocculant composite that includes extraction of the Aloe vera gel, preparation of the chitosan solution and cross linking of the two components with glutaraldehyde in order to get a stable product. FTIR analysis of the samples was done to determine functional groups present in the material obtained while XRD and UV-Vis studies were used to analyze the material. The FTIR spectra identified hydroxyl (-OH), amine (-NH) and carbonyl (C=O) groups that are essential in adsorption. Changes in the microstructure, which comprised only a small volume of crystalline phase and a large portion of amorphous phase, contributed to the improvement of water absorption. UV-Vis spectroscopy proved the material’s efficiency to adsorb contaminants which revealed considerable decrease of their concentrations. Adsorption results were as follows: chromium at 75.26%, copper at 77.32%, and nickel at 68.4% of removal efficiency. The findings presented here underscore the applicability of the composite for treatment of multi-stream wastewaters. The research also confirms other benefits that emanate from the use of bio-flocculants compared to chemical coagulants, namely biodegradability, low toxic effect, and low generation of sludge. The addition of Aloe vera and chitosan improves ix the adsorption capacity of the composite without compromising the environmental factor. Considering the resulted innovations, plant-based and biodegradable materials, including the developed composite, have tremendous potential for application at large industrial and municipal scale in wastewater treatment. This research adds to the existing literature on green water treatment technology as well as offers a base on which subsequent studies involving plant- and biopolymer derived materials can be grounded.