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Fluoride removal study using pyrolyzed Delonix regia pod, an unconventional adsorbent

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Abstract

Applicability of the new material pyrolyzed Delonix regia pod carbon for the removal of excess fluoride ions from the water that harm the human and the environment was studied. The adsorbent was characterized both physically and chemically. Surface chemistry characterization was done with pH-drift method. Batch adsorption studies were carried out for the effect of pH, dosage, contact time, initial fluoride concentration, temperature and interfering co-ions. The physicochemical properties and textural characters were analyzed. Equilibrium data were studied using Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich models, in which Freundlich isotherm was considered to be the best fit for the adsorbent. The sorption nature was studied using thermodynamic parameters which showed spontaneous, irreversible, stable and endothermic. The adsorption kinetics follows pseudo-second order. The mechanism of adsorption was determined from intraparticle diffusion model. Boyd plot showed that the adsorption of fluoride on the carbon was mainly governed by particle diffusion.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. V. Lakshmi Prabha, Ph.D., Principal and Dr. K. Ganesan, Head of Civil Engg. Dept for their kind permission to do this project work at Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli. They extend their thanks to SAIF IIT, Madras and ANJAC, Sivakasi for analyzing the samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Government College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, 627007, India

    M. Angelina Thanga Ajisha

  2. Francis Xavier College of Engineering, Tirunelveli, 627003, India

    K. Rajagopal

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  1. M. Angelina Thanga Ajisha
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  2. K. Rajagopal
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Correspondence to M. Angelina Thanga Ajisha.

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Angelina Thanga Ajisha, M., Rajagopal, K. Fluoride removal study using pyrolyzed Delonix regia pod, an unconventional adsorbent. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 12, 223–236 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-013-0485-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-013-0485-8

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