Adsorptive removal of fluoride using polymer-modified ceria nanoparticles: determination of equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters

Polyaniline/Ceria nanocomposite is prepared in two steps: CeO2 by gel combustion method and it's polymer nanocomposite by in situ polymerization. The as-synthesized nanocomposite is characterized by X-Ray Diffractometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller technique, etc. Its efficacy in adsorptive removal of fluoride in water is investigated by the batch method under various experimental conditions including contact time, pH, initial concentration, temperature, etc. The maximum adsorption capacity is obtained at neutral pH within 1 h. The adsorption kinetics data is well fitted into the pseudo-second order model and Langmuir model. The results of the adsorption thermodynamic study evidenced a spontaneous, exothermic and entropy-driving adsorption process.