Adsorption and Diffusion Characteristics of 2-Naphthol from Aqueous Media by Chitosan-ENR Biocomposites

R. GUNASUNDERI (School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Pulau Pinang)
M. R. H. MAS HARIS (School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden)

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development
Vol. 34 No. 2 (2017): Vol 34 No 2 (2017)

Chitosan entrapped ENR-50 (CTS-t-ENR) biocomposites developed were studiedfor the absorption and desorption of 2-naphthol in aqueous media. Biocomposites comprising chitosan (CTS) immobilized or trapped in a partially crosslinked ENR (designated as CTS-t-ENR) was prepared by homogenising CTS in ENR-50 latex with curative agents in the presence of acetic acid. It was found that absorption increased with the increase in the initial 2-naphthol concentrations. Chitosan powder was found to be a poor absorbent compared CTS-t-ENR biocomposites. Desorption studyrevealed that the 2-naphthol diffusedslowly in water. The biocomposites exhibited a good slow-release properties and this was proven by the kinetic studyusing zero order, firsorder, Higuchi equation and Kosmeyer Peppas equation. Thus, these biocomposites with a good controlled release and swelling properties could be very useful in agricultural application.