Optimization of fluoride adsorption onto a sonochemically synthesized nano-MgO/γ-Al2O3composite adsorbent through applying the L16Taguchi orthogonal design

Abstract

AbstractHere in this work an effort has been made to in situ dope γ-Al2O3 as substrate with MgO nanoparticles through applying wet impregnation followed by sonochemical synthesis methods. The as-synthesized alumina supported nano-magnesia particles (4–30 nm) were evaluated as a new defluoridating agent upon operating conditions such as pH, initial concentration, contact time, temperature and sorbent dose. The L16 Taguchi statistical approach was implemented to optimize these operating conditions. The adsorbents were also characterized using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and X-ray analysis methods. Under optimum conditions of pH 6.00 ± 0.30, initial concentration of 0.05 kg/m3, dose of 0.70 kg/m3, contact time of 8400 s and temperature of 298 K, the fluoride removal efficiency was up to 97%. Results of the ANOVA revealed that the most influential factor on the removal efficiency of nanoadsorbent would be the initial concentratio...