Nano-Alumina Functionalized Carbon Composite Adsorbent from Coir Pith Biomass for Fluoride Removal from Aqueous Solution

Fluoride contamination in surface and groundwater was a major environmental issue in various parts of the world. Fluorosis is caused by consumption of contaminated water; hence, it is essential to treat fluoride from contaminated water sources. This study involves the development of nano-alumina functionalized carbon composite adsorbent (NAAC) nanocomposite under controlled atmosphere for adsorption of fluoride from water. NAAC was synthesized using carbonization process at controlled nitrogen atmosphere. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), (High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy) HR-TEM coupled with (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) EDS and (Selected Area Electron Diffraction) SAED were used for characterization of the NAAC. Adsorption capacity of NAAC of fluoride was evaluated by batch and column mode using the fluoride spiked solution. The experiments performed to identify initial concentration of adsorbate and desorption studies. Adsorption data fitted to relevant Isotherm & Kinetic models. (Q0) of NAAC was found as 58.82 mg/g. Effects of flow rate, bed volume and different F- concentrations for the column experiments were find. (Bed-Depth-Service-Time) BDST model achieved by using data collected from experiments. As a result, the batch sorption was found to be more effective than the column sorption for removal. Therefore, study done the production of low-cost adsorbent fluoride removal from groundwater made by using NAAC is possible.