Vol. 24, No. 2 (2025), IA25491 https://doi.org/10.24275/rmiq/IA25491

Removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solutions and water for human consumption by a surfactant modified zeolite

 

Authors

N. Flores-Alamo, J.I. Vázquez-Méndez, M.J. Solache-Ríos, F. Cuellar-Robles, M.C. Carreño-de-León

Abstract

Fluoride ions are found in groundwater due to the presence of some minerals like fluorite (CaF2) and fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F). A clinoptilolite type zeolite was modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide in order to determine its adsorption properties for the removal of fluoride ions from water, the material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and the point of zero charge was determined. Sorption experiments were performed by using a solution of sodium fluoride and water from the state of Zacatecas, México. The kinetic data were adequately fitted to the pseudo first-order model, and the isotherms data to the Freundlich model, suggesting that the sorption process is carried out by physisorption on a heterogeneous material, the adsorption was similar between 20 and 50°C and the highest adsorption was between pH 4 and 6. Experiments carried out with water from the state of Zacatecas showed a removal of 86.3 % with 130 mg of modified zeolite and 10 mL of water. The results show that this material is an alternative for removing fluoride ions from water.

Keywords

fluoride ions, adsorption, zeolite, pollution.

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