Characterization of chitosan from <i>Rhynchophorus phoenicis</i> and synthesis of its alumina nanocomposite

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 22^o; 16^o and 25^o; 17^o 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.