Adsorption of fluoride from aqueous solution by enhanced chitosan/bentonite composite

In this work, enhanced chitosan/bentonite composite was prepared by treating chitosan/bentonite composite with concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl). The adsorption of fluoride ions from aqueous solution onto the enhanced chitosan/bentonite composite was investigated. Adsorption studies were performed in a batch system, and the effects of various parameters, such as the pH value of the solution, adsorbent dosage and initial fluoride concentration, were evaluated. The optimum operating conditions for fluoride removal by the enhanced chitosan/bentonite composite were pH = 7 or so, and adsorbent dosage =1.2 g. Increasing initial fluoride concentration reduced the adsorption of fluoride onto the enhanced chitosan/bentonite composite. Furthermore, the presence of other co-anions weakened the adsorption of fluoride onto this adsorbent. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms were well described by both the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was 2.95 mg/g at 293 K.