Abstract
Frustules or the rigid amorphous silica cell wall of unicellular, photosynthetic microalgae with unique porous architecture has been used to synthesize a composite by immobilizing ZrO2 on its surface and in the pores. This was effective in water defluoridation. The average diameter of the composite was 80±2nm and surface area was 140m2/g. The adsorption isotherms followed both Langmuir and Freundlich models, and the composite was regenerable. Adsorption kinetics followed second order model and the adsorption capacity was as high as 11.32mg/g, while the Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (qm) reached 15.53mg/g. The research findings highlight the potential of diatoms as hosts for nanomaterials for use in water treatment.
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