Defluoridation of Water Using Zirconium Impregnated Coconut Fiber Carbon

In this study the applicability of Zirconium ion impregnated coconut fiber carbon (ZICFC) as an adsorbent for fluoride removal from water was investigated. The dependence of fluoride adsorption on the physicochemical properties includes pH, agitation time, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and the initial concentration of the adsorbate. Maximum defluoridation was obtained at an original pH value of 4.0 with a rapid 93% adsorption being achieved within 10min of contact with ZICFC. Adsorption data for fluoride onto ZICFC were better correlated to the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order chemical reaction provided the best fit for the experimental data as obtained from kinetic studies. A combination of chemisorption and physisorption processes in hand with intraparticle diffusion, account for the high defluoridation ability of ZICFC, with the thermodynamic parameters indicating an endothermic phenomenon. The fluoride adsorption capacity of ZICFC when compared with those of other commonly used fluoride adsorbents highlights the substantial improvement in fluoride adsorption capacity of coconut fiber carbon on zirconium impregnation.