The blending effect of natural polysaccharides with nano-zirconia towards the removal of fluoride and arsenate from water. Issue 3 (8th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shanika Fernando, M.; Wimalasiri, A. K. D. V. K.; Dziemidowicz, Karolina; Williams, Gareth R; Rasika Koswattage, K.; Dissanayake, D. P.; Nalin De Silva, K. M.; De Silva, Rohini M.
• Is Part Of: Royal Society open science. Volume 10:Issue 3(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03-08
• Subjects: zirconia -- chitosan -- adsorption -- fluoride -- arsenate; Science -- Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221514
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-5703

Abstract

Abstract : Nano-zirconia (ZO) was synthesized using a microwave-assisted one-pot precipitation route. Two biopolymers, chitosan (CTS) and carboxymethyl cellulose were blended with ZO at different w/w ratios. The formulation with 30% w/w chitosan (ZO-CTS) was found to give enhanced uptake of F − and As(V). ZO and the most effective ZO-CTS system were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These confirmed the formation of a composite system containing nanoparticles of 50 nm in size, in which ZO was present in the amorphous form. It was observed that the combination of ZO with CTS improved the F − and As(V) adsorption capacity most notably at pH 5.5. Fluoride adsorption by ZO-CTS followed the Freundlich isotherm model, with an adsorption capacity of 120 mg g −1 . Adsorption of As(V) by ZO-CTS could be fitted with both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and was found to have a capacity of 14.8 mg g −1 . Gravity filtration studies conducted for groundwater levels indicated the effectiveness of ZO-CTS in adsorbing As(V) and F − at a pH of 5.5. The ability of the ZO-CTS in removing Cd(II) and Pb(II) was also investigated, and no such enhancement was observed, and found the neat ZO was the most potent sorbent here.