Fluoride Action Network

One-step synthesis of zirconium dioxide-biochar derived from Camellia oleifera seed shell with enhanced removal capacity for fluoride from water.

Source: Applied Surface Science [In Press, Journal Pre-proof] | November 19th, 2019 | Authors: Mei L, Qiao H, Ke F, Peng C, Hou R, Wan X, Cai H.
Location: International
Industry type: Water Treatment

Note from Fluoride Action Network:
“Since all methods [to remove fluoride] produce a sludge with very high concentration of fluoride that has to be disposed of, only water for drinking and cooking purposes should be treated, particularly in the developing countries.”
Reference: Fluorosis (see Interventions), World Health Organization

Highlights

  • Camellia seed shell waste was calcined in the presence of ZrO2 in one step.
  • Camellia seed shell biochar could adsorb fluoride after zirconium treatment.
  • ZrO2 particles were loaded onto zirconium dioxide-biochar surface.
  • Zirconium dioxide-biochar had a high adsorption capacity over the pH 3-9.

Abstract

Zirconium dioxide-biochar (ZrO2/BC) with excellent fluoride adsorption properties, was successfully prepared by calcining the zirconium-impregnated byproduct from Camellia oleifera (C. oleifera) seed shell in a one-step method. Compared with C. oleifera seed biochar, the zirconium-impregnated C. oleifera seed shell biochar can effectively adsorb fluoride in water. The adsorption process is consistent with a pseudo second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Fluoride adsorption was tested in solutions ranging from pH to obtain the best pH value for adsorption. The fluoride adsorption mechanism was better understood by Zeta potential analysis. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption process was a spontaneous endothermic reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed that the morphology and crystal form of the ZrO2/BC were improved and that fluoride could be effectively absorbed. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to show how ZrO2 affects the surface of the zirconium-biochar and to show that the fluoride was removed from the water by ion exchange. This work can not only effectively remove fluoride from the water, but also reuse waste C. oleifera seed to reduce environmental pollution.