The Application of Chitosan-Based Adsorbents for the Removal of Hazardous Pollutants from Aqueous Solutions—A Review

Abstract

The development of simple, effective, economical, and environmentally friendly methods for removing hazardous substances of anthropogenic origin from aquatic systems is currently one of the greatest challenges, among others, due to the variety of pollutants and the transformations they may undergo in the environment. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in adsorption methods based on the use of natural polymers, including non-toxic chitosan (CS), which is characterized by good coating properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. This review concerns the latest developments (since 2019) in the application of novel chitosan-based materials for the removal of hazardous substances (e.g., metal and metalloid ions, synthetic dyes, pharmaceuticals) from aqueous solutions, with particular emphasis on their most important advantages and limitations, as well as their potential impact on sustainability.