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Experimental and model study for fluoride removal by thermally activated sepiolite
Jae-In Lee1, Seung-Hee Hong1, Chang-Gu Lee2
1Department of Bioresources and Rural System Engineering, Hankyong National University, Anseong, South Korea.
Chemosphere
|October 18, 2019
Summary
Thermally activated sepiolite effectively removes fluoride from water. Treatment at 950°C yielded the highest efficiency, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 169.95 mg/g, showing promise for water purification.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Fluoride contamination in water poses significant health risks.
- Conventional water treatment methods for fluoride removal can be inefficient or costly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and evaluate thermally activated sepiolite as an adsorbent for fluoride removal from aqueous solutions.
- To optimize the thermal activation process for enhanced fluoride adsorption.
Main Methods:
- Sepiolite was thermally treated at temperatures ranging from 300-950°C under an N2 atmosphere.
- Characterization involved FESEM, XRD, XRF, DSC-TGA, and surface area analysis.
- Fluoride adsorption was studied under various conditions (pH, dose, time, concentration, temperature, co-existing ions) and in a continuous flow system.
Main Results:
- Sepiolite treated at 950°C exhibited superior fluoride removal efficiency.
- Adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model.
- The maximum adsorption capacity reached 169.95 mg/g, exceeding literature values.
- The process was endothermic and spontaneous, and the adsorbent showed effectiveness in a continuous flow system.
Conclusions:
- Thermally activated sepiolite, particularly when treated at 950°C, is a highly effective adsorbent for fluoride removal.
- The material demonstrates excellent adsorption capacity and reusability, making it a viable option for water treatment.
- This study highlights the potential of tailored sepiolite materials for addressing fluoride contamination in water resources.
