Characterization and physicochemical aspects of novel cellulose-based layered double hydroxide nanocomposite for removal of antimony and fluoride from aqueous solution

A series of novel adsorbents composed of cellulose (CL) with Ca/Al layered double hydroxide (CC(x)A; where x represent the Ca/Al molar ratio) were prepared for the adsorption of antimony (Sb(V)) and fluoride (F-) ions from aqueous solutions. The CC X A was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), elemental analysis (CHNS/O), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DTA), zeta potential, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis. The effects of varying parameters such as dose, pH, contact time, temperature and initial concentration on the adsorption process were investigated. According to the obtained results, the adsorption processes were described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Langmuir adsorption isotherm model provided the best fit for the experimental data and was used to describe isotherm constants. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 77.2 and 63.1 mg/g for Sb(V) and F-, respectively by CC(3)A (experimental conditions: pH 5.5, time 60 min, dose 15 mg/10 mL, temperature 298 K). The CC(3)A nanocomposite was able to reduce the Sb(V) and F- ions concentration in synthetic solution to lower than 6 mu g/L and 1.5 mg/L, respectively, which are maximum contaminant levels of these elements in drinking water according to WHO guidelines. (C) 2020 The Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Novel adsorbents composed of cellulose with Ca/Al layered double hydroxide were prepared for the adsorption of antimony and fluoride ions. Various characterization techniques were used to analyze the adsorbents and the adsorption process parameters were investigated. The adsorption capacity of the CC(3)A nanocomposite met WHO guidelines for maximum contaminant levels in drinking water.