In the present work,
an extract of Salvia
officinalis leaves was used to synthesize an alumina/NiO
nanocomposite by the
coprecipitation method. First, the shape and surface content of the
synthesized adsorbent were determined. Scanning electron microscopy
images showed the production of nanospheres and nanorods with sizes
between 35 and 50 nm. X-ray diffraction measurement revealed strong,
high-intensity peaks, confirming the preparation of a highly crystalline
alumina/nickel oxide nanocomposite. Then, the pure nanoalumina, nickel
oxide, and functionalized alumina/nickel oxide nanocomposite for water
defluoridation were investigated under various conditions, for example,
stirring period, pH, and initial fluoride concentration. Defluoridation
with greener alumina, nickel oxide, and alumina/nickel oxide nanocomposite
lasted 120 min at adsorbent dosages of 0.8 g/L in a pH 7 solution.
The adoption process for the three sorbents matches the Langmuir adsorption
isotherm. The process dynamics were explored using pseudo-second-order
and first-order kinetics. The water quality after treatment met drinking
water requirements, proving the viability of using nanoparticles for
drinking water defluoridation. This work confirmed effective water
defluoridation in the crystalline phase using synthesized nanoalumina,
nickel oxide, and their nanocomposite, which highlights their importance
for future drinking water defluoridation.