A comparative Study on Fluoride Removal Capacity from Drinking Water by Adsorption using Nano sized Alumina and Zirconia Modified Alumina Prepared by Chemical Route
Received: March 16, 2016 Revised: June, 14, 2016 Accepted: October 09, 2016 Available online October 17, 2016 Nano sized alumina (Al2O3) [abbreviated as AO] and zirconia modified alumina (Al2O3ZrO2) [abbreviated as AZO] were synthesized by chemical route using Al(NO3)3, ZrO2 and triethanol amine [N(C2H5OH)3] The precursor materials were calcined for 950oC for 4 hr. to obtain phase pure nano powder. The synthesized nano powders were characterized by X ray Diffraction (XRD) Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X ray (EDX) analyses. From XRD the average crystallite sizes were calculated using Scherrer's formula and were found to be 10 nm and 16 nm, while from SEM the grain size was found to 0.37 mm and 0.93 mm. Fluoride removal experiments were carried out taking different concentration of fluorides, 3 mg/L, 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L of water using different adsorbent dose. The contact time of adsorption were set to be 30 mins, and 1 hr. The adsorption mechanism was also investigated throughout this study. Corresponding Author; E. Mail: debasisdhak@yahoo.co.in