Removal of Hexavalent Chromium using Chitosan Prepared from the Shrimp and Crab Shells

Abstract

Heavy metals are widely used in different industries. However, in this project work, the main concern is the preparation of chitin and chitosan from the raw materials of shrimp and crab shells. Then the prepared material has to be characterised by different characterisation methods. After characterisation the adsorption study has to be carried out for the chitosan prepared. The effects of parameters such as the effect of adsorbent dose, effect of contact time has to be studied in batch studies on the bio-sorption capacity. Chitin can be prepared from the waste by products i.e. shrimp shells and crab shells which involves three main stages as preconditioning, demineralization, deproteinization. Chitosan is prepared from chitin by the process of deacetylation. Then the prepared chitosan is characterised by FTIR, FESEM. With the help of batch studies, the extent of removal of the heavy metal can be compared for the two types of samples of chitosan which are prepared from the raw materials of shrimp and crab shells.