The fluoride content in groundwater varies depending on geological configuration. Fluoride problems tend to occur in places where these minerals are most abundant in rocks. The objective of the present work was to synthesize four biopolymers based on chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol (Ch-PVA) cross-linked with sodium tripolyphosphate pentabasic (TPP) and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) and determine their ability to remove fluoride from water. The characterization of the Ch-PVA beads was performed by way of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The percentage of humidity and the point of zero charge were determined. The Ch-PVA beads showed a surface area of 63.87 m² g⁻¹, a pore size of 7.6 nm, a point of zero charge of 7.4, and 98.6% humidity. The kinetic adsorption study was adjusted to the pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption equilibrium data were adjusted to the Freundlich adsorption isotherm, showing a maximum fluoride adsorption capacity of 12.64 mg g⁻¹ at pH 7 and 30 °C, for the beads of Ch-PVA-NaOH-TPP. According to the thermodynamic parameters: −∆G°, +∆H° and −∆S°, fluoride adsorption is spontaneous, endothermic in nature and there is no random energy change in the solid/liquid interface during the adsorption process.

Dental and emaciated fluorosis is derived from the chronic intake of fluoride ions (F⁻) by consumption of food, tooth products and drinking water from groundwater. Recent reports indicate that in some regions of Mexico, the incidence of fluorosis in temporary and permanent dentitions have increased in recent years. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the presence and distribution of F⁻ ions in semi-confined aquifers, located in the basins of Lerma-Chapala and Valley of México. Temperature (T), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and alkalinity were determined in situ, in 27 groundwater wells. The hardness, chloride ions (Cl⁻), free chlorine (Cl₂), total dissolved solids (TDS) and bicarbonates (HCO₃⁻), were determined in the laboratory. The high content of bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) is associated with the alteration of silicates and the presence of chloride ions (Cl⁻) due to the anthropogenic activity. The highest value of fluoride ions (F⁻) (1.31 mg/L) was identified in a well of the Lerma-Chapala basin and in 25% of the samples (1.056 mg/L) of the Valley of México basin. The groundwater in the Lerma-Chapala basin is of the Ca-HCO₃ type and the water in the Valley of Mexico basin is Na-HCO₃ and Ca-HCO₃. According to the Gibbs diagram, the water of the Toluca Valley aquifer is recharged by local meteoric precipitation and consequent the water-rock interaction occurs. The correlation analysis shows the significant relationship between F⁻ and CE (R = 0.5933), F⁻ and alkalinity (R = 0.6924), F⁻ and HCO₃⁻ (R = 0.6924) and F⁻ and TDS (R = 0.5933). The correlations confirm that the content of fluoride ions present in groundwater is associated with high concentrations of bicarbonate ions and the presence of sodium, due to a process of alteration of the silicates.

The adsorption behaviour of Cu(II) was investigated in the presence of a new material. This material was obtained from chitosan (Ch) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at different weight percentages (35/65, 50/50 and 65/35), dripping this mixture in a NaOH solution, and then subjecting to crosslinking reaction under nitrogen atmosphere at 353 K with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether to improve its resistance to acids and alkalis. Adsorption test were conducted to evaluate the optimal Ch/PVA ratio, 35/65 ratio presented the best adsorption capacity. The interaction between Cu(II) and functional groups of Ch/PVA was determined by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Kinetics and isotherm experiments were performed to evaluate the adsorption behaviour of Cu(II). The kinetic experimental data were best fitted to pseudo-second-order model and equilibrium data to the Langmuir model. Thermodynamics parameters such as free Gibbs energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) were calculated. These parameters indicated spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process.

Chitosan-g-glycidyl methacrylate (CTS-g-GMA)-collagen type II scaffold was synthesized and characterized as potential material for tissue engineering applications. Its physicochemical properties, biocompatibility and capacity to sustain chondrocytes proliferation were evaluated. FTIR, DSC and XRD analyses reveal that (CTSA-g-GMA)-collagen II copolymer (Zcol) possesses higher thermal stability and amorphous structure in contrast to the original polymers. Biocompatibility assays suggested that Zcol do not promote side effects in cell replication. Zcol allowed adhesion, growth, and proliferation of chondrocytes within 7 days. Our results suggest that (CTS-g-GMA)-collagen II copolymer may offer a new biomaterial alternative for cartilage regeneration. Synthesis of a (CTS-g-GMA)-collagen II scaffold for chondrocyte proliferation.