The production of chitin, nanochitin polymers, and their composite membranes for water purification

JONÁS J. PEREZ BRAVO; LAURA DANIELA PILATO; GABRIEL I. TOVAR-JIMENEZ; FEDERICO JAVIER WOLMAN; GUILLERMO JAVIER COPELLO

Biopolymers for water purification

Wiley-VCH

Año: 2025; p. 341 - 370

Chitin, one of the most abundant biopolymers, can be derived from crustacean waste generated by the fishing industry. This readily available source presents a cost-effective means to access significant quantities of this valuable polysaccharide. This opens an intriguing avenue to reduce our reliance on fossil-derived polymers and explore the feasibility of utilizing economical materials for low-value applications, such as water purification. Despite its immense potential, chitin has received relatively little attention in the research community for many years. In this chapter, we shed light on the factors contributing to the scarcity of studies related to chitin materials. We do so by providing a comprehensive overview of the current methods used for chitin material production. Additionally, we delve into recent research findings on chitin and nanochitin-based systems for water treatment, examining their adsorptive and degradative capabilities.