THERMAL MODIFICATION OF CLINOPTILOLITE WITH CHITOSAN FOR ENHANCED HEAVY METAL ADSORPTION: A NOVEL ECO-FRIENDLY SORBENT

In this study, chitosan was successfully modified with clinoptilolite at a temperature of 95°C to develop a highly efficient sorbent for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions. Clinoptilolite particles with an average size of 0.01 mm were uniformly coated with a chitosan layer through a thermal-assisted process in an acetic acid medium. The modification significantly enhanced the sorption capacity due to the introduction of functional groups from chitosan, such as amine (–NH₂) and hydroxyl (–OH) groups, which provide strong binding sites for metal ions. The thermal treatment at 95°C ensured the stability and homogeneity of the chitosan layer on the clinoptilolite surface. The synthesized composite material exhibited improved adsorption efficiency for heavy metals such as Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺ compared to unmodified clinoptilolite and pure chitosan. Structural characterization through SEM and FTIR confirmed the successful integration of chitosan onto the clinoptilolite framework, while batch adsorption experiments demonstrated the material’s potential for applications in industrial wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. This research highlights the synergistic effects of combining natural materials to create eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions for heavy metal pollution.