Development of a novel Artemia eggshell-zirconium nanocomposite for efficient fluoride removal

Abstract

Fluoride pollution in water has attracted widespread concern worldwide. In this study, an Artemia eggshell-zirconium (Aes-Z) nanocomposite has been used for fluoride removal. Material characterization results showed that nano-ZrO2 was immobilized on the inner surface of the Artemia eggshell, and there was no pore blockage on the composite material. Various parameters influencing on the fluoride removal, including treatment time, composite dosage, pH, initial fluoride concentration, and other anions, were analyzed. The removal efficiency of the composite material was better than that of the single zirconia material. The removal percentage of fluoride reached 93% in 30 min with an initial fluoride concentration of 10 mg/L and a nanocomposite dosage of 8.0 g/L. The composite material had a high removal efficiency for fluoride in the pH region 4.0–10.0. The adsorption of fluoride was not influenced by the common anions (e.g., Cl-, SO42-, and NO3-) in water. The regeneration revealed that the Aes-Z composite material could be reused and remove fluoride effectively in four cycles. The pseudo-second-order rate model adequately represented the adsorption kinetics of the Aes-Z composite material. A possible, defluoridation mechanism of the Aes-Z composite material was also proposed. This study demonstrates that Aes-Z is a promising adsorbent material for fluoride removal.

Degradation of fluoride in groundwater by electrochemical fixed bed system with bauxite: performance and synergistic catalytic mechanism

“…For instance, coagulation–sedimentation and precipitation methods require a significant amount of chemical agents and multiple pH adjustments during the treatment process, leading to the generation of a considerable quantity of secondary pollutants and a substantial amount of waste materials; 11 The adsorption method for fluoride removal requires pre-treatment steps and has a long processing time. Additionally, its defluoridation efficiency decreases after regeneration cycles; 12 The production cost of membranes is high, and the requirement for skilled labor is a major drawback of membrane treatment methods. 13 The electrochemical method remains the preferred approach due to its simplicity of operation, and high removal efficiency.…”

Study on the properties of bauxite modified by acid leaching and calcination for improving fluorine removal

“…However, fluoride is easy to accumulate in the human body 10 . When the content of fluoride exceeds the standard, it will affect bone development 11 and cause dental fluorosis, 12 skeletal fluorosis, 13 cancer, arthritis, and neurological diseases 14 . Fluorosis has become a disease that affects the health of most people 15 .…”