Possibilities and limitations of chitosan-based adsorbents used to remove organic and inorganic contaminants from aqueous solutions

Chitosan, as a natural biopolymer obtained from recycled sources, has a high affinity for removing various contaminants present in water systems, ranging from metal compounds, dyes, to pharmaceuticals. It has been demonstrated that modified chitosan can be successfully used to remove contaminants from various environmental matrices. This review presents the advantages and limitations of chitosan-based adsorbents that remove organic and inorganic pollutants from water and wastewater. It explains how chemical and physical modifications affect the adsorption properties of chitosan adsorbents. In addition, the possibility of the regeneration of materials used in the adsorption process is indicated.