The effect of ratio chitosan-bentonite and processing time on the characterization of chitosan-bentonite composite

Chitosan/bentonite composite was synthesized to modify and enhance its characteristics to adsorp both anionic and cationic substances. The influence of several factors on synthesis of the chitosan/bentonite composite were investigated. The study focused on obtaining the best operating conditions that would produce homogenous chitosan/bentonite composite. The effect of weight ratio of bentonite to chitosan, reaction times and pre-treatment were investigated. The composite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Scanning electron microscopy. The optimum chitosan/bentonite composite was obtained at weight ratio of bentonite to chitosan 1 : 2 and 12 hours reaction. On these conditions, more chitosan can interact with the matrix of bentonite to form chitosan – bentonite composite.