Porous hydrogels (CNF-PEG hydrogels) for the adsorption of metals from aqueous solutions were prepared from chitosan nanofibers (CNFs) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). CNF-PEG hydrogels adsorbed both transition metals (e.g., copper) and post-transition metals (e.g., tin). The adsorption capacity was observed to increase with increasing CNF/PEGDA ratio, indicating that the CNFs exhibit synergism between chelation between metals and chitosan, and the enlarged surface area of the porous structure.
- Sachiko Nitta
- Miki Akagi
- Hiroyuki Iwamoto
