Fluoride removal by Ca-Al-CO3 layered double hydroxides at environmentally-relevant concentrations

Liangfu Wei*, Frederik Zietzschmann, Luuk C. Rietveld, Doris van Halem

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)
129 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In this study, F removal by Ca–Al–CO3 layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was investigated at environmentally-relevant concentration ranges (2–12 mg/L) to below the WHO guideline, with an emphasis on the effect of LDHs’ modification, as well as the effects of initial F concentration, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature and co-existing ions. Ca–Al–CO3 LDHs, either untreated, calcined or microwave treated, showed affinity for the removal of F from synthetic groundwater with capacities of 6.7–8.4 mg F/g LDHs at groundwater-relevant pH, with a higher F removal capacity at lower pH (<8) and lower temperature (12 °C, as compared to 25 °C & 35 °C). Since calcination and microwave treatment resulted in only marginal defluorination improvements, using untreated LDHs appears the practically most feasible option. For the untreated LDHs, competition with Cl and NO3 was not observed, whereas at higher HCO3 and SO42− concentrations (>250 mg/L) a slight reduction in F removal was observed. This study indicates the potential of Ca–Al–CO3 LDHs as a cost-effective F removal technology, particularly when locally sourced and in combination with low-cost pH correction.

Original languageEnglish
Article number125307
Number of pages8
JournalChemosphere
Volume243
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Calcination
  • Ca–Al–CO LDHs
  • Fluoride
  • Groundwater treatment
  • Microwave treatment

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