Synthesis of La-incorporated chitosan beads for fluoride removal from water

In this study, lanthanum incorporated chitosan beads (LCB) were synthesized using precipitation method and tested for fluoride removal from drinking water. The effect of various parameters like complexation and precipitation time, lanthanum loading and ammonia strength on fluoride removal have been studied. It is observed that the parameters for the synthesis of LCB have significant influence on development of LCB and in turn on fluoride removal capacity. The optimal condition for synthesis of LCB includes lanthanum loading: 10 wt%, complexation time: 60 min, precipitation time: 60 min, drying temperature: 75 °C for 72 h. The maximum fluoride adsorption capacity of LCB was found to be 4.7 mg/g and negligible release of lanthanum ion was observed. XRD analysis shows the presence of lanthanum hydroxide and amorphous nature of LCB. SEM of LCB shows the presence of oval lanthanum hydroxide particles spread over the chitosan matrix. Fluoride adsorption capacity has been calculated by applying Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The comparative study suggests that LCB shows four times greater fluoride adsorption capacity than the commercially used activated alumina.