Hydrolyzed Chitin and Chitosan Blends as Reversible and Biocompatible Sorbents for Carbon Dioxide Sorption

One of the most pressing issues confronting modern society is carbon dioxide pollution (CO₂). The reliance of social progress on CO₂-producing technologies such as power generation, automobiles, and specialized industrial processes exacerbates the problem. Due to this reliance, it is critical to develop solutions to reduce CO₂ emissions from these sources. One such solution is carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), which employs chemical methods to prevent CO₂ emissions. The irreversibility of current CCS technology is its primary problem. Chitin, chitosan, and their derivatives, which were recovered from local seafood waste, are studied as reversible CO₂ capture materials in this study in an effort to lessen this issue. Polysulfone (PSF) blends were employed to lessen chitosan edema, as chitosan’s hydrophilicity reduces its active sorption surface. Blends with only 20% chitosan have the same high sorption capacity as pure chitosan due to decreased swelling. Hydrolysis was used to boost the chitin sorption abilities. The CO₂ sorption data were analyzed using an Intelligent Gravimetric Analyzer (IGA), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) spectroscopy. This study reveals that shrimp shells were the best source of chitin. This research led to the creation of eco-friendly, reversible, and reusable carbon sequestration sorbents.