Remediation of fluoride from drinking water using magnetic iron oxide coated hydrotalcite/chitosan composite

The present study was performed to examine the probability of magnetic iron oxide fabricated hydrotalcite/chitosan (Fe₃O₄@HTCS) composite for the removal of excess fluoride content from drinking water. The developed Fe₃O₄@HTCS composite not only demonstrate the good separation ability but also display an extreme enhanced defluoridation capacity (DC) when compared to other base components and composite. The DCs of Fe₃O₄@HTCS composite, Fe₃O₄@HT composite, Fe₃O₄, HT and CS was found to be 5032, 3041, 1050, 1030 and 52mgF^-/kg respectively. The structure and morphology of the prepared adsorbent and fluoride sorbed adsorbent was analysed using FTIR, SEM and EDAX with mapping techniques. The dependence of DC on various parameters like initial fluoride concentration, pH, contact time, interfering anions and temperature was studied by batch method. From isotherm modeling, the equilibrium data is well described by Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters confirm the spontaneity and endothermic nature of the fluoride adsorption. The performance of Fe₃O₄@HTCS composite to field water sample designates its adaptable nature at field conditions.