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Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Graphene/Zr Composite Supported on Activated Carbon for Efficient Removal of Fluoride from Drinking Water

  • PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES
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Abstract

Fluoride is a serious public health issue in many regions of the world because of its elevated concentration in water resources. Defluoridation of drinking water requires cost-effective adsorbents. Graphene/zirconium/activated carbon (G/Zr/AC) nanocomposite has been synthesised and characterised via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX analysis), N2 physisorption (BET analysis), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, the point of zero charge (pHpzc) was determined. The result showed that graphene/Zr nanoparticles have been successfully anchored onto the activated carbon, which plays a significant role in the defluoridation of water. The G/Zr/AC adsorbent study for the removal of fluoride from water was investigated in a batch system under various conditions. The adsorption studies were carried out by optimising various parameters such as initial pH, adsorbent dose, adsorption time, agitation, and initial fluoride concentration. The results showed that at low pH values, the G/Zr/AC composite was more effective at adsorbing fluoride, with a maximum adsorption of 74.6%. Among the conditions of temperature and agitation evaluated, the best results were achieved at 30°C and 200 rpm. The system proved equilibrium after 4 h of operation. While the Langmuir isotherm (linear/non-linear) best represented the equilibrium data, with a maximal adsorption capacity of 81.47 mg/g, the pseudo second order kinetic model best described the kinetic data. In other words, the findings we got prove that the material produced is effective adsorbent and can be used in the removal of fluoride from drinking water.

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  1. School of Nanomaterials and Graphene Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, 384265, Patan, India

    R. V. Patel & C. P. Bhasin

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  1. R. V. Patel
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  2. C. P. Bhasin
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Patel, R.V., Bhasin, C.P. Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Graphene/Zr Composite Supported on Activated Carbon for Efficient Removal of Fluoride from Drinking Water. J. Water Chem. Technol. 44, 344–354 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X22050095

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1063455X22050095

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