Nanoparticles and whiskers-based chitosan films for Cr complexation

Though it is known that chitosan films are able to complex metallic ions, underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we studied the complexation of chromium (III) ions using three films: chitosan films, biocomposites formed from chitosan with nanoparticles, and chitosan with whiskers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of interactions between chromium (III) ions and either chitosan film, or biocomposites of chitosan–chitosan nanoparticles and chitosan–chitosan whiskers. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of Cr (III) on the surface of chitosan film and chitosan biocomposites. The surface tension of chitosan film and chitosan biocomposites increased after Cr (III) complexation, according to contact angle data. Kinetic studies show that chitosan–chitosan whiskers biocomposite is the best ligand with complexation of 18 % of chromium (III) ions in 60 min.