Chitin blends, interpenetrating polymer networks, gels, composites, and nanocomposites for adsorption systems: environmental remediation and protein purification

Abstract

This chapter summarizes and brings a critical evaluation of theadvantages and disadvantages of the properties and applications of chi-tin for sorption processes. Also discusses potential physical and chemi-cal modifications and future considerations. The study of the adsorptiveproperties and the ways for their enhancement or increasing the selec-tivity for a specific sorbate is a growing topic as a consequence of theneed for more controlled pollutant effluent management. Moreover, thepossibilities of isolating valuable or marketable molecules from thoseeffluents or industrial subproducts demand the development of novelsorbents that satisfy the regulatory conditions and the process economy.Chitin is the second most abundant natural polymer and may, at leastpotentially, fulfill these requirements.