Abstract
This paper discusses the surface chemistry modification of bone char using cerium species and its role as fluoride adsorbent. Different doping routes for the cerium incorporation on bone char were assessed using two cerium precursors where the defluoridation performance of synthetized adsorbents was determined. Results showed that the bone char modified with Ce4+ showed better adsorption properties for fluoride removal than the adsorbent containing Ce3+. The best cerium-doped bone char showed up to 13.6mg/g for fluoride removal at pH 7 and 30°C, which was higher than those obtained for commercial bone chars and other adsorbents reported in the literature. This novel adsorbent may offer additional advantages for fluoride removal, including chemical stability to pH changes and potential antibacterial properties, than those obtained with metal-loaded adsorbents. Fluoride adsorption using this cerium-doped bone char was endothermic and could involve a physico-chemical mechanism based on electrostatic interactions and ion exchange with OH− groups from the adsorbent. In summary, this study provides new insights on the use and application of rare earth elements for the synthesis of adsorbents with enhanced properties for fluoride removal from water.
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