ISSN: 2319-8753 International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization) Vol. 3, Issue 2, February 2014 Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 9609 A Comparative Study on Metal Adsorption Properties of Different Forms of Chitosan Adarsh K J 1 *, Dr. G Madhu 2 Sophisticated Test & Instrumentation Centre (STIC), Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin - 682 022, Kerala, India 1 School of Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology Cochin - 682 022, Kerala, India 2 *Corresponding author Abstract: Application of chitinous products in waste water treatment has received considerable attention in recent years. The Chitosan, deacetylated chitin derivative is the most interesting biopolymer in the world of adsorption science.The preparation of chitosan beads and chitosan membranes were explained in this paper. The properties of chitosan flake, beads, and film was studied with different analytical method such as CHN, SEM, FTIR, DSC, etc. Chemical modification of chitosan membranes and beads were performed by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde and its properties were analysed.The Adsorption studies of Hg(II) ion was carried out in a batch process at room temperature in static manner with varying parameters such as pH of solution, adsorbent concentration and different Chitosan forms. Metal concentration was measured using ICP AES. It has been shown that cross linked chitosan beads have higher adsorption degree compared to chitosan flakes and cross linked chitosan membrane. The removal efficiency of cross linked chitosan beads on multi element solution shows that the maximum adsorption shown by Chromium (88.29%) followed by Cd > Cu > Ni > Ag > Pb > Zn. Keywords: Chitosan, Surface modification, Heavy metal removal, Crosslinking with glutaraldehyde Abbreviations: CS-Chitosan, GA- glutaraldehyde I. INTRODUCTION The development of chitosan-based materials as useful adsorbent polymeric matrices is an expanding field in the area of adsorption science [1]. Chitosan is considered as answer to researchers interest in developing cost effective and environmental friendly technologies for the remediation of soil and water polluted with toxic trace elements. Its use as a biosorbent is justified due to following advantages, low cost compared to commercial activated carbon, ease in availability, removal efficiency of wide variety of metals and outstanding chelating behaviour [2]. The Chitosan, deacetylated chitin derivative is the most interesting biopolymer in the world of adsorption science [3-4]. Henri Braconnot, a French professor discovered chitin in 1811 [5] by first demonstrating the presence of acetyl groups in mushrooms [6] and in 1843 Lassaigne [7] unambiguously demonstrated the presence of nitrogen in chitin [8]. Henri Braconnot’s named chitin as fungine. In 1823, Odier[ 9] found the same material in insects and plants and named it chitine [10]. But he did not actually demonstrate the chitin identity. Payen (1843)[11] prepared and easily replicated chitin in the laboratory. Muzzarelli [12] has chronologically enlisted chitin and chitosan in the book “Chitin”. Chitin is the second most abundant polymer in nature after cellulose. Chitin is white, hard, inelastic, nitrogenous muco- polysaccharide consisting of a poly-beta-1, 4-linked N-acetyl glucosamine. Chitin is structurally similar to cellulose, but it is an amino polymer and has acetamide groups at the C-2 positions in place of the hydroxyl groups. The presence of these groups is highly advantageous, providing distinctive adsorption functions and modification reactions. The raw polymer is commercially extracted from marine crustaceans primarily because a large amount of waste is available as a by-product of food processing [15]. Chitin is the main component of arthropod exoskeletons, tendons, and the linings