Removal of phenol from aqueous solutions using nano-chitosan

Phenol is one of the hydrocarbons identified as a priority pollutant by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Phenol and its derivatives have wide applications in a variety of industries and is known as an important pollutant in industrial wastewater. As conventional phenol removal methods are often expensive, there is a need for a low cost and environmentally friendly method to remove this pollutant. The purpose of this study is to examine the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions using chitosan nanoparticles. We experimented phenol removal in batch system with absorbent dose (0.01- 0.4 g/l), pH (3-8), contact time (5-120 min), phenol concentration (5-50 mg /l) and temperature (15-40°C). Based on the results, the optimal levels of concentration, pH and adsorbent dose were 50 mg/L, 4 and 0.05 g/L as parameters for use in subsequent steps. After 35 minutes, the absorption system was in equilibrium and then there was no significant change in the phenol absorption, and after 60 minutes, the absorption rate decreased. Removal efficiency of phenol at 35°C demonstrated its highest amount. According to the findings, due to the characteristics such as degradability, regeneration ability, low cost, and acceptable adsorption efficiency, chitosan nanoparticles could be used to remove phenol from water contaminated with oil compounds.