Efficient removal of fluoride on aluminum modified activated carbon: an adsorption behavioral study and application to remediation of ground water

In recent times, ground water contamination by toxic elements is of great concern and it is to be addressed for consumption of human, animal, and plant growth. In this context, we have synthesized an adsorbent by modifying commercially available activated carbon with aluminum and tested for de-fluoridation studies. The activity results suggested that the optimized adsorbent is highly efficient in removing the fluoride from ground water. Adsorption maxima are obtained over a wide pH range from 4 to 9, with a contact time of 15 minutes at a dosage of 4 g/L. The results also revealed that the synthesized adsorbent is suitable for application in ground water without any pH adjustment and has exhibited 85%-95% tolerance for common anions in the range of 100-500 mg/L. Equilibrium adsorption isotherm models as well as kinetics of adsorption were applied for the system. An adsorption capacity of 20.4 mg/g and fast kinetics observed are most favorable for defluoridation. Reuse of adsorbent over repeated cycles was investigated. Residual amount of aluminum in treated water is found to be negligible. The removal of toxic elements like Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, and Se under the optimized experimental conditions has also been investigated. Al-AC found to be a highly promising material for removal of fluoride and toxic metals from drinking water.