Abstract

This article describes the metal ions adsorption of chitosan fibers. The chitosan fibers were manufactured by wet spinning using 2% acetic acid as solvent, 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide as non solvent, and 4%chitosan solution as a solvent. The adsorption characteristics of chitosan fibers towards 100ppm solutions of various metal ions such as Cu(II), Cd(II), Cr(III), Hg(II) were examined at different pH value by ICP-Atomic Emission Spectrometer. The adhesiveness of metallic ions to the chitosan fiber were increased with the increase of pH and the decrease of denier. On the other hand, from pH4, chitosan fiber that is immersed in metal ion aqueous solution of Cu(II) and Cd(II) became homogeneous solution because is dissolved. The adhesiveness of metallic ions to chitosan fiber were found to increased in a sequence of Hg(II)> Cr(III)> Cu(II)> Cd(II). The antimicrobial characteristics of the chitosan fiber by adhered metal ions, virgin chitosan fiber, and cotton fiber were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity of the fibers were increased with the decrease of denier.

Keywords

• chitosan;
• fiber;
• adsorption;
• metal ion;
• wet spinning;
• antimicrobial