Application of chitosan and its derivatives for solid-phase extraction of metal and metalloid ions: a mini-review

Here we review chitosan-based materials for solid-phase extraction of metal and metalloid ions prior to their determination by atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and some other spectrometric techniques. We show that nearly zero affinity of chitosan and its derivatives to alkali and alkali-earth metal ions is very beneficial for separation of analytes from the salt matrix, which is always present in natural waters, waste streams, and geological samples and interferes with analytical signals. Applicability of chitosan to selective recovery of different metal and metalloid ions can be significantly improved via functionalization with N-, S-, and O-containing groups imparting chitosan with additional electron donor atoms and capability to form stable five- and six-membered chelate rings with metal ions. Among most promising materials for analytical preconcentration, we discussed chitosan-based composites; carboxyalkyl chitosans; chitosan derivatives containing residues of aminoacids, iminodiacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acids; chitosans modified with aliphatic and aromatic amines, heterocyclic fragments (pyridyl, imidazole), and crown ethers. We have shown that most chitosan derivatives provide only group selectivity toward metal ions; however, optimization of recovery conditions allows metals and metalloids speciation and efficient separation of noble and transition metal ions.