Chitosan has a high surface area due to its porous structure, which provides ample sites for PAH molecules to adhere to via physical interactions such as van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions. Moreover ,PAHs are typically hydrophobic compounds, and chitosan, being a hydrophilic polymer, can adsorb PAHs through hydrophobic interactions as well. The effectiveness of chitosan in removing PAHs from water can be influenced by various water quality conditions such as -
pH: The pH of the water can affect the surface charge of both chitosan and the PAH molecules. Generally, chitosan exhibits higher adsorption capacity for PAHs under acidic conditions due to the protonation of its amino groups, which increases its positive charge and enhances interactions with negatively charged PAHs.
Temperature: Adsorption kinetics can be influenced by temperature, with higher temperatures often leading to faster adsorption rates. However, the effect of temperature on the equilibrium adsorption capacity can vary depending on the specific interactions involved.
