Adsorption behavior of fluoride ions using a titanium hydroxide-derived adsorbent

The removal behavior of fluoride ions was examined in aqueous sodium fluoride solutions using a titanium hydroxide-derived adsorbent. The adsorbent was prepared from titanium oxysulfate (TiOSO₄·xH₂O) solution, and was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrum and specific surface area. Batchwise adsorption test of prepared adsorbent was carried out in aqueous sodium fluoride solutions and real wastewater containing fluoride ion. The absorbent was the amorphous material, which had different morphology to the raw material, titanium oxysulfate, and the specific surface area of the adsorbent (96.8 m²/g) was 200 times higher than that of raw material (0.5 m²/g). Adsorption of fluoride on the adsorbent was saturated within 30 min in the solution with 200 mg/L of fluoride ions, together with increasing pH of the solution, due to ion exchange between fluoride ions in the solution and hydroxide ions in the adsorbent. Fluoride ions were adsorbed even in at a low fluoride concentration of 5 mg/L; and were selectively adsorbed in the solution containing a high concentration of chloride, nitrate and sulfate ions. The adsorbent can remove fluoride below permitted level (< 0.8 mg/L) from real wastewaters containing various substances. The maximum adsorption of fluoride on the adsorbent could be obtained in the solution at about pH 3. After fluoride adsorption, fluoride ions were easily desorbed using a high pH solution, completely regenerating for further removal process at acidic pH. The capacity for fluoride ion adsorption was almost unchanged three times after repeat adsorption and desorption. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the adsorbent used for fluoride ion at pH 3 was measured, extrapolated using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, and experimental data are found to fit Freundlich than Langmuir. The prepared adsorbent is expected to be a new inorganic ion exchanger for the removal and recovery of fluoride ions from wastewater.