Efficacy of novel Al–Zr impregnated cellulose adsorbent prepared using microwave irradiation for the facile defluoridation of water

•Novel Al–Zr impregnated cellulose sorbent prepared using microwave radiation.•Physico-chemical characterization of the adsorbent was studied in detail.•The sorbent has an adsorption capacity of 5.76 mg g−1 for fluoride.•Electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions support the mechanism.

The remediation of fluoride from water warrants effective adsorbents. The proposed method involves the impregnation of Al–Zr in cellulose matrix wherein fluoride ion from aqueous medium interacts with the cellulose hydroxyl groups as well as cationic Zr and Al hydroxides. The facile preparation of the adsorbent was accomplished by microwave-assisted synthesis. The adsorbent prior and subsequent to the adsorption of fluoride was characterized comprehensively using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions support the adsorption mechanism. Various adsorption isotherm models, kinetics and thermodynamics were studied in detail. Pseudo second order kinetics supports the adsorption data. The adsorbent exhibits excellent adsorption up to 5 mg L−1 fluoride and shows good potential toward practical application.

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