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Rapid and Efficient Purification of Low-Concentration Fluoride-Containing Water Using Cationic Chitosan Fibers
Zhe Liu1,2,3, Dongfang Wang2,3, Yan Zhu2,3
1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Cationic chitosan fibers (CCFs) effectively remove low-concentration fluoride from water, showing 15.8 times higher capacity than unmodified fibers. These regenerated CCFs offer rapid, efficient, and eco-friendly water purification.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Water Treatment
Background:
- Fluoride contamination in water poses health risks.
- Existing adsorbents often lack efficiency or reusability for low-concentration fluoride removal.
- Chitosan-based materials show potential but require modification for enhanced performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate quaternary ammonium-modified cationic chitosan fibers (CCFs) for efficient fluoride removal.
- To investigate the adsorption performance, regeneration capabilities, and mechanisms of CCFs.
- To assess the practical applicability of CCFs in real water matrices.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of quaternary ammonium-modified cationic chitosan fibers (CCFs).
- Systematic evaluation of fluoride adsorption capacity, kinetics, and isotherms.
- Assessment of regeneration efficiency using NaCl solution.
- Investigation of adsorption mechanisms via mechanistic studies.
- Testing performance in natural surface water with competing ions.
Main Results:
- CCFs demonstrated a fluoride adsorption capacity 15.8 times higher than unmodified chitosan fibers (CFs).
- Adsorption equilibrium was reached within 10 minutes, fitting the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.
- Maximum adsorption capacity was 28.5 mg/g, well-described by Langmuir and Freundlich models.
- CCFs showed excellent regeneration with no capacity loss after five cycles.
- Effective fluoride removal was observed in natural surface water containing competing ions.
Conclusions:
- CCFs are a highly efficient bio-based adsorbent for low-concentration fluoride removal.
- The rapid kinetics and superior adsorption capacity of CCFs surpass existing chitosan-based adsorbents.
- Electrostatic attraction and ion exchange are the primary adsorption mechanisms.
- CCFs offer a promising, eco-friendly solution for advanced water purification due to their efficiency, rapid regeneration, and metal-free nature.
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