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Characterization of chitosan from Rhynchophorus phoenicis and synthesis of its alumina nanocomposite


C.I. Osu
H.C. Ugwu
G.N. Iwuoha

Abstract

Rhynchophorus phoenicis, found in the tropical regions of Africa where it is regarded as a pest was used to synthesize chitosan and alumina-chitosan nano-composite. The synthesized Chitosan and alumina-chitosan nano-composite were characterized using instrumental methods of analysis which include Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). FTIR reveals the existence of OH stretching vibration –NH stretching, NH bonding, vibration of methylene C-H bonding, O=C=O stretching, C-N bonding stretching and CO stretching vibration at 3842.33 cm-1, 3402.54 cm-1, 3286.81 cm-1, 2939.61 cm-1, 1527.67 cm-1, 1303.92 cm-1 and 1041.60 cm-1 respectively. The scanning electron micrograph proves that the chitosan has large particles that are regular with paltry pores while alumina-chitosan nano-composite has fairly small particles and porous surface with significant pores. X-ray diffractogram showed a distinct stretch at 22o; 16o and 25o; 17o for chitosan and alumina-chitosan nano-composite. The characterization of the products confirmed that the synthesis of chitosan and alumina-chitosan nano-composiote was effective.


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eISSN: 1118-1931
print ISSN: 1118-1931