Removal of Fluoride from Water Using Mesoporous MCM-41: An Optimization Approach Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Bodhaditya Das¹, Saumen Banerjee^2*, Prasanta K. Raul^1*, Rashmi R. Devi¹, Iohbor M. Umlong¹, Anup K. Talukdar³, Sanjai K. Dwivedi¹

¹Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur, Assam, India.
²Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment, Kanpur, UP, India.
³Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University, Assam, India.

DOI: 10.4236/anp.2021.103007                

Abstract

Fluoride above 1.5 mg·L^-1 is injurious to health. Removal of fluoride from water using mesoporous MCM-41 as a strong adsorbent material has been attempted. Characterization using transmission electron microscopic study of calcined MCM-41 showed the regular hexagonal array of mesoporous channels with an average size of 20 nm and the surface area (BET study) of 1306.96 m²·g^-1. The average pore size of the particles was found to be 14.21 nm. A study on the effect of contact time on the removal of fluoride revealed that more than 85% uptake of fluoride onto MCM-41 was achieved at a contact time of 120 min. From the Langmuir adsorption study, the maximum sorption capacity of fluoride was found to be 63.05 mg/g at 301 K. From the thermodynamic study, the +ΔHo value of 2.29 kJ·mol^-1 indicated the endothermic nature of the removal process. Application of Response Surface Model suggested that 77.88% of fluoride removal can be achieved at fluoride concentration of 10 mg·L^-1, pH (6.3), and contact time of 120 min.

Keywords

MCM-41, Mesoporous Silica, Adsorption, Fluoride, Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

1. Introduction

Chronic Fluoride toxicity is caused mainly due to prolonged consumption of excess fluoride concentration through drinking water. Fluorosis is prevalent in India amongst the 23 nations in the world. 19 states of India are affected with various forms of fluorosis revealed from various reports. It is reported that the prevalence of dental and non-skeletal fluorosis is significantly at a higher rate [1] . Near about 62 million people are affected by fluorosis in India concluded to various survey reports. Fluoride in drinking water is known for both beneficial and detrimental health effects. As the guideline of the World Health Organization (WHO), the maximum permissible level of fluoride in drinking water is 1.5 mg·L⁻¹ [2] . The many pockets of Assam region of North Eastern India have a high concentration of fluoride in drinking water where cases of endemic fluorosis are reported [3] . Amid the negative impact of fluoride on human health, researches have been prompted to study the removal of high concentration fluoride from drinking water.

In the recent decay, the application of nanoscience and nanotechnology is emerging in a new dimension, so, researchers have explored the unusual and unique properties of nanomaterials for environmental remediation [4] [5] . In this regard, mesoporous materials are attractive in the domain which proved their affinity in absorbing a range of organic and inorganic materials. In 1991, a class of new ordered mesostructured materials called M41S (viz. MCM-41, MCM-48 and MCM-50) were discovered [6] [7] . The morphology and pore size of these materials can be tailored through simple manipulation of the synthetic conditions. Si-based MCM-41 has unique properties viz. ordered pore structure with unimodal pore size distributions, large surface area, due to which its application is very significant as catalysts, in adsorption and separation processes [8] [9] . In recent years, it has been widely studied the application of mesoporous materials for the removal of anionic contaminants from water by the adsorption process [10] . But very few reports are available for defluoridation process from drinking water using mesoporous materials.

In the present study, it was attempted to prepare an appropriate mesoporous adsorbent to monitor the adsorption behavior of fluoride from contaminated water and to study the efficacy of the adsorbent. The method of synthesis was slightly modified than the classical one in order to minimize the time as well as the use of reagents [11] . It has also been described the adsorption by variation of parameters such as initial concentration, contact time, and pH effect. The isotherms, kinetics model, and thermodynamic processes were also taken up in the study to understand the mechanism of adsorption. Further, a Box-Behnken factorial design was used to optimize the removal conditions by MCM-41 with a view to predicting the fluoride removal efficiency through adsorption.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials

The required chemicals such as tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), ammonia solution (30%), hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and sodium fluoride (Merck, India) were of analytical grade and used without further purification.

2.2. Synthesis of MCM-41

As the reported procedure [12] Mesoporous MCM-41 was synthesized with slight modification. The reactant-compositions were maintained at the following molar composition of nCTAB:TEOS:NH3 = 0.023:0.043:2.470 as previously optimized. A mixture of CTAB and ammonia solution (30%) was stirred continuously using a laboratory stirrer until a clear homogenous solution was obtained. Then a required amount of TEOS was added drop-wise into the above mixture with the help of a pressure-equalizing funnel. The mixture was further stirred for 90 min at room temperature till a white precipitate is formed. The obtained product was then filtered and washed properly with distilled water. Finally, the solid product was heated at 70˚C in a vacuum oven in the absence of air and cooled to normal temperature followed by calcination at 560˚C for 6 h. The final product so obtained was used for the adsorption studies.

2.3. Characterization of the Sorbent

Phase analysis of mesoporous MCM-41 was carried out by a powder X-ray diffractometer (Bruker D8). The measurement conditions were taken as follows: anode material = Cu; K-alpha, λ = a 1.5406 Ǻ. The particle size of mesoporous MCM-41 was measured using a transmission electron microscope (TEM, JEOL JEM 2100) at an acceleration voltage of 200 kv and digital images were taken with a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis of samples was carried out with an instrument JEOL 6390LV attached to the scanning electron microscope (SEM). A BET surface area analyzer (Micromeritics Tristar 3000) was used to measure nitrogen adsorption isotherm at 77 K. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out using TGA instrument (Metler Toledo stac system).

2.4. Adsorption Experiments

The sorption isotherm and kinetic experiments were carried out by batch equilibrium method. The batch adsorption experiments were carried out by mixing known weight of the adsorbent material with 100 mL of working standard solution, placed in a 250 mL conical flask. The contents in the flask were shaken thoroughly for 2 h on a mechanical shaker (IKA 400 ic control) with a speed of 165 ± 2 rpm. The solution was centrifuged and the mother liquor was analyzed for residual contaminant concentration using an ion analyzer (Orion, Thermo Scientific Ltd.) equipped with fluoride selective combined electrode. All adsorption isotherm experiments were conducted at a temperature (28˚C ± 0.1˚C). Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of various parameters such as initial concentration, pH effect, contact time, etc.

The specific amount of contaminant adsorbed was calculated by the following formula

$Q_e=\left(C_0-C_e\right)\times V/W$ (1)

where Q_e is the adsorption capacity (mg·g⁻¹) of the solid at equilibrium; C₀ and C_e are the initial and equilibrium concentration of contaminant (mg·L⁻¹) respectively; V is the volume of the aqueous solution; W is the mass (g) of adsorbent used in the experiments [13] . A pH meter (Model: Sartorius PT-10) was used to measure pH. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption were established by conducting the experiments at three different temperatures 301, 306 and 311 K in a controlled mechanical shaker.

2.5. Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

The Box-Behnken factorial design (BBD) was used to optimize the fluoride removal conditions by MCM-41. The detailed techniques of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) as a statistical tool are given in the results and discussion sections. The Box-Behnken factorial design was used to optimize the fluoride removal conditions by MCM-41. The Box-Behnken factorial design was used to optimize the fluoride removal conditions by MCM-41. Since different variables are usually expressed in different units and/or have different limits of variation, the significance of their effects on response can only be compared after they are coded. For statistical calculations, the variable X_i was coded as x_i according to the following equation

$x_i=\frac{X_i-X_o}{\Delta X_i}$ (2)

where X_i is the real value of the ith independent variable, X_o is the real value of an independent variable at the centre point and ΔX_i is the step change. pH (X₁), Initial concentration (X₂) and contact time (X₃) were chosen as the independent variables during the removal process. The range and levels were listed in Table 1. The removal efficiency for fluoride was selected as the dependent variable. The response variable was fitted by a second-order model in the form of quadratic polynomial equation

$y=a_0+{\displaystyle {\sum }_{i=1}^n{a}_i{x}_i}+{\displaystyle {\sum }_{i=1}^n{a}_{ii}{x}_i^2}+{\displaystyle {\sum }_{i=1}^n{\displaystyle {\sum }_{j=1}^n{a}_{ij}{x}_i{x}_j}},i<j$ (3)

where, is the response variable to be modelled; a₀, a_i, a_ii and a_ij are constant regression coefficients of the model; x_i and x_j (i = 1→4; j = 1→4; i ≠ j) represent the independent variables in the form of coded values. The actual design of this work was presented in Table 2. Based on this table, the experiments were conducted for obtaining the response, i.e. removal efficiency for fluoride; at the corresponding independent variables addressed in the experimental design matrix by applying a quadratic model. The parameters of the response equations and corresponding analysis on variables were evaluated using Minitab16. The significance of quadratic regression model was also evaluated using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Experimented and theoretical values are reflected in Table 2.

Table 1. Experimental ranges and levels of the independent variables.

Table 2. BBD and results for the study of four experimental results.

3. Result and Discussions

3.1. Characterization

The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of calcined MCM-41 are reflected in Figure 1. The diffraction lines are (100), (110) and (200), indexing the hexagonal regularity of MCM-41 as per literature of XRD pattern [14] . The X-ray diffractrograms of MCM-41 after calcination in air at 560˚C for 6 h, contain a sharp and main the d100 diffracting planes is observed at 2 value of 2.45˚ followed by other two very weaker signals. The large band is due to the contribution of the amorphous silica walls [15] . The BET surface area of MCM-41 was found to be 1306.90 m²·g⁻¹, whereas the total pore volume was 0.5507 cm³·g⁻¹. TEM micrograph of MCM-41 powder showing uniform distribution of the particles followed by the particle size >20 nm was presented in Figure 2. The interlayer spacing was found to be 4.1 nm, as depicted in Figure 2 (onset).

Figure 1. XRD patterns of (a) calcined MCM-41.

Figure 2. TEM image of MCM-41.

3.2. Isotherm of Nitrogen-Adsorption-Desorption

The low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm and pore size distribution patterns of mesoporous MCM-41 are depicted in Figure 3. At a relative pressure P/P0 ~0.42, a sharp increase in the adsorbed and desorbed volumes is reflected; indicates the uniformity of the pore size distribution, and corresponds to capillary condensation in the mesopores [16] . The TGA curve of MCM-41 showed three-step profile of weight loss in the temperature range 313 - 413 K, 413 - 530 K and 653 - 1023 K. Figure 4 depicts the TGA thermogram. The TGA curve of MCM-41 showed three-step profile of weight loss in the temperature range 313 - 413 K, 413 - 530 K and 653 - 1023 K. The initial small weight loss around the range of 313 - 413 K is due to the desorption of physically adsorbed water. Removal of organic surfactants is completed in two steps. Similar observations were reported for the synthesis of different mesoporous materials

Figure 3. N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm.

Figure 4. TGA of MCM-41.

prepared by microemulsion method using heptanes-water-CTAB system [17] Low-temperature N₂ adsorption isotherms give the most reliable information about the porous structure of solids. Figure 5(a) and Figure 5(b) shows the SEM images of surface morphology of mesoporous MCM-41 and after adsorption of fluoride respectively. The elemental analysis of MCM-41 before and after fluoride adsorption is further shown in Figure 6(a) and Figure 6(b).

Figure 5. SEM image of MCM-41 (a) before adsorption and (b) after fluoride adsorption.

Figure 6. EDX analysis of MCM-41 (a) Before fluoride adsorption; (b) After fluoride adsorption.

3.3. Adsorption of Fluoride

3.3.1. Effect of the Initial Concentration of Adsorbate

75% removal of fluoride was observed taking initial concentration 10 mg·L⁻¹ and adsorbent dose of 1 mg·L⁻¹ within 2 h of contact time. When the concentration of fluoride is increased, the competition for the active adsorption sites also increased and the adsorption process was gradually declined [18] . The findings are displayed in Figure 7.

3.3.2. Determination of Zero Point Charge (ZPC)

The surface charge of the materials is usually determined by the Zero Point Charge (ZPC). The adsorption of the specific adsorbate on adsorbent depends on the surface charge of the adsorbent. Figure 8 depicts the pH of the solution after adsorption vs pH before adsorption [19] . The horizontal portion of the graph parallel to the X-axis indicates the ZPC of the material. The ZPC value of mesoporous MCM-41 is found to be 2.8 [20] . From that, it was concluded that the adsorbent surface had a positive charge (cationic) in aqueous medium.

3.3.3. Sorption Mechanism and pH Effect

The pH of the aqueous solution plays an important role which controls the adsorption at the water adsorbent interface [21] . Therefore, the adsorption of fluoride on MCM-41 was examined at different pH from 1.5 to 10.5 keeping other

Figure 7. Effect of initial concentration of Fluoride on removal of fluoride.

Figure 8. Plot of final pH with initial pH of fluoride solution.

parameters constant as shown in Figure 9. The percentage of fluoride removal was found to be more than 50% at acidic pH, whereas it was less than 40% at basic pH. At 301 K the maximum sorption capacity was found to be 63.05 mg·g⁻¹ for fluoride and at pH 6.3 (Figure 9). The following reactions are considered to understand the fluoride adsorption behaviour under various pH values [22] [23] ,

$HF\leftrightarrow H^{+}+F^{-}$ (2)

$\equiv SOH+H^{+}\leftrightarrow \equiv SO{H}_2^{+}$ (3)

$\equiv SOH+O{H}^{-}\leftrightarrow \equiv S{O}^{-}+H_{2}O$ (4)

$\equiv SO{H}_2^{+}+F^{-}\leftrightarrow \equiv SF+H_{2}O$ (5)

$\equiv SOH+F^{-}\leftrightarrow \equiv S{O}^{-}+O{H}^{-}$ . (6)

The overall reaction can be written as

$\equiv SOH+H^{+}+F^{-}\leftrightarrow \equiv SF+H_2$ , (7)

Figure 9. Effect of pH on adsorption.

where $\equiv SOH$ , $\equiv SO{H}_2^{+}$ and $\equiv S{O}^{-}$ are the neutral, protonated and deprotonated sites on MCM-41 respectively and $\equiv SF$ , active site fluoride complex. Equation (3) reflects the ionization of HF in solution at low pH. At low pH values, HF is weakly ionized (pKa = 3.2) in solution, in that case, fluoride uptake capacity is reduced when pH is very less than 6.0, since a fraction of fluoride becomes unavailable for adsorption process. When the adsorption system (fluoride solution/MCM-41) was operated at 7 > pH > 6.0, the reaction site becomes protonated according to Equation 4 as there was so much proton available in the acidic medium leading to the enhancement of fluoride adsorption (Equation (3)) compared to fluoride adsorption at neutral pH (Equation (7)). The fluoride adsorption decreased sharply at pH > 7.29 due to the increased repulsive forces between the negatively charged fluoride ions and the SO⁻ (Equation (6)). It may be concluded that the mechanism of fluoride removal on MCM-41 follows both adsorption and ion-exchange mechanism [24] .

3.3.4. Effect of Contact Time

The rapid adsorption of fluoride took place within 90 min is depicted in Figure 10. After that adsorption becomes slow and almost reached equilibrium within 120 min. When the contact time is increased up to 8 h, no further appreciable adsorption took place (less than 1%) indicating that complete adsorption [25] occurred within 2 h. Thus, all the adsorption experiments were conducted for 2 h.

3.3.5. Adsorption Isotherm

Langmuir isotherm

For estimation of maximum fluoride uptake (q_m) at different fluoride concentrations (2 - 25 mg·L⁻¹) the Langmuir sorption model was adopted. The Langmuir isotherm [26] is expressed as

$\frac{1}{q_e}=\frac{1}{q_m}\frac{1}{b}\frac{1}{C_e}+\frac{1}{q_m}$ (8)

Figure 10. Effect of contact time.

where q_e is the equilibrium quantity adsorbed (mg·g⁻¹), C_e is the equilibrium concentration (mg·L⁻¹), q_m is the maximum adsorption capacity (mg·g⁻¹) and b

is the Langmuir constant. The linear plot of $\frac{1}{C_e}$ vs $\frac{1}{q_e}$ (Figure 11(a)) with

higher R² value indicates the monolayer adsorption on mesoporous MCM-41. The values of q_m and b were calculated from the slope and intercept respectively are presented in Table 3.

Freundlich isotherm

The linear form of the Freundlich isotherm [27] equation is expressed as

$\ln q_e=\ln k_f+\frac{1}{n}\ln C_e$ (9)

where q_e is the adsorbed amount (mg·g⁻¹), C_e is the equilibrium fluoride concentration (mg·L⁻¹), k_f (mg·g⁻¹) is the Freundlich constant related to adsorption capacity and n is the constant related to energy of intensity of adsorption. The value of k_f and n (Table 3) are obtained from the linear plot of lnq_e vs lnC_e (Figure 11(b)). n values lying between 1 and 10 also indicate the favourable conditions for adsorption isotherms as well. From the adsorption studies, it is found that the Langmuir adsorption model is better fitted than Freundlich one. It was also supported by χ² values. Both χ² values and Dimensionless equilibrium parameter (R_L) [28] are reflected in Table 4.

3.3.6. Thermodynamic Studies

Thermodynamic parameters viz. standard free energy change (ΔG⁰), standard enthalpy change (ΔH⁰), standard entropy change (ΔS⁰), activation energy (E_a), were calculated as follows. Considering the sorption distribution coefficient K₀, equation of free energy of sorption process, is given by

$\Delta G^{\text{0}}=-RT\ln K_0$ (10)

where ΔG⁰ is the standard free energy change (kJ·mol⁻¹), R is the universal gas constant (8.314 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹) and T is the temperature in Kelvin. As per the method proposed by Khan and Singh [29] , the sorption distribution coefficient K₀

Figure 11. Langmuir isotherm of MCM-41 (a) and Freundlich isotherm of MCM-41 (b).

Table 3. A comparison of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm parameters.

Table 4. The R_L and chi-square values of MCM-41.

for sorption reaction was determined from the slope of the plot $\ln \left(\frac{q_e}{C_e}\right)$ against

C_e at various temperatures and extrapolating to zero C_e. The sorption distribution coefficient may be expressed as

$\ln K_0=\frac{\Delta H^0}{RT}+\frac{\Delta S^0}{R}$ (11)

where ΔH⁰ is standard enthalpy change (kJ·mol⁻¹) and ΔS⁰ is standard entropy change (kJ·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹). The values of ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ can be obtained from the slope and intercept of a plot of lnK₀ against $\frac{1}{T}$ respectively. The values of activation energy (E_a) and sticking probability (S^*) were calculated from the experimental data. These were calculated using a modified Arrhenius type equation related to surface coverage as expressed in Equation (12).

$S^{*}=\left(1-\theta \right)\exp -\left(\frac{E_a}{RT}\right)$ (12)

where, $\theta$ is surface coverage,

$\theta =\left(1-\frac{C_e}{C_0}\right)$

where, C₀ and C_e are the initial and equilibrium fluoride concentrations respectively. The plot of $\ln \left(1-\theta \right)$ against $\frac{1}{T}$ will give a linear plot with intercept of lnS^* and slope of $\frac{E_a}{R}$ . In the sorption process, temperature plays a major role as

influencing factor, the sorption of mesoporous MCM-41 was monitored at three different temperatures 301, 306 and 311 K under optimized conditions. The thermodynamic parameters viz. ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰, ΔS⁰and E_a, were calculated with the help of Equations (9)-(11) and are presented in Table 5. The endothermic behaviour of adsorption is clearly indicated by +ve ΔH⁰ value and –ve ΔG⁰ value indicates the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. From the low value of ΔS⁰, it may be concluded that there is no marked change in entropy occurred during the adsorption process. However, the increase of randomness at the solid solution interface during adsorption may be predicted from +ve ΔS⁰. ΔH⁰ (2.3016 kJ·mol⁻¹) value indicates that the adsorption process is a physico-chemical adsorption process rather than a pure physical or chemical one, as heats of chemisorption generally fall into the range [30] [31] of 80 - 200 kJ·mol⁻¹. The value of S^* (0.10) indicates that adsorption mechanism does not follow purely chemisorption.

3.3.7. Adsorption Kinetics

In order to investigate the sorption mechanism of fluoride removal both Pseudo first and second-order kinetic models are used at different experimental conditions. Pseudo-first-order kinetic model is represented as

$\log \left(q_e-q_t\right)=\log q_e-\frac{K_{ad}}{2.303}t$ (13)

where q_t is the amount of fluoride on the surface of the sorbent MCM-41 at time t (mg/g) and K_ad is the equilibrium rate constant (min⁻¹). Figures 12(a)-(c) show the linear plots of pseudo-first-order for sorption of fluoride onto MCM-41 at 301 K, 306 K and 311 K respectively.

The most popular linear form of pseudo-second-order kinetic model is expressed as

$\frac{t}{q_t}=\frac{1}{h}+\frac{t}{q_e}$ (14)

Table 5. Thermodynamic parameters at three different temperatures for Fluoride.

Table 6. Pseudo-second-order kinetic parameters of MCM-41.

Figure 12. Pseudo-first-order plot for fluoride removal at 301, 306 and 311 K.

where, $q_t=q_e^{2}kt/\left(1+q_{t}kt\right)$ , the amount of fluoride on the surface of the mesoporous MCM-41 at any time, t amount (mg·g⁻¹), k being pseudo-second-order rate constant (gm·g⁻¹·min⁻¹), is the amount of fluoride sorbed at equilibrium (mg/g) and the initial sorption rate, $h=k{q}_e^2$ (mg·g⁻¹·min⁻¹). The value of q_e, k and h of the pseudo-second-order equation were obtained experimentally for fluoride sorption at different temperatures viz. 301, 306 and 311 K. The plot of t

vs $\frac{t}{q_t}$ gives a straight line with higher correlation coefficient R² values. This is

higher than that observed pseudo-first-order model indicating the applicability q_e of the pseudo-second-order model. Figures 13(a)-(c), depict the linear plot of pseudo second order for sorption of fluoride on MCM-41 at 301, 306 and 311 K respectively. Overall results revealed the value of q_e is increasing with the increase of initial Fluoride concentration and temperature. These values are reflected in Table 6.

3.3.8. RSM Approach for the Optimization of Fluoride Adsorption

The actual and predicted removals (%) of fluoride on MCM-41 are found very close to each other. It is calculated by applying BBD techniques. The details of RSM approach for the optimization of fluoride adsorption on MCM-41 is also described. The suitability of regression model for fluoride adsorption on MCM-41 is suggested from the results, observed in Table 7. It is revealed that the predicted values are quite close to the experimental one. It is clear from the Table 8 that p-value of all linear terms; all square term, and pH*Conc. terms are less than 0.05.

Figure 13. Observed pseudo-second-order plot at 301 K, 306 K and 311.

Table 7. Response surface regression: Removal (%) vs pH, conc. (mg/L), contact time (min).

Table 8. Analysis of variance for the removal (%) of fluoride.

3.3.9. Interactive Effects of Different Parameters on Fluoride Adsorption

In this study, the effects of the predominant variables (pH and Conc.) on the response (% removal) are depicted in Figure 14. Response model plot is depicted in Figure 15, which is very supportive to predict the optimum values for the desired response. The relation between various adsorption parameters and response can be explained by the examination of contour plots as a function of two factors by holding the other factors at central level. The strength of a particular variable is appraised by the magnitude of the coefficient and the nature of the variable is indicated by the subtraction or addition sign in the equation [32] .

3.3.10. Interpretation of Response Model Curve

Model suggested that 77.88% of fluoride removal from aqueous solution should be achieved at conditions i.e., at Conc. (10 mg/L), pH (6.3) and CT (120 min). The experiments were also conducted at the aforementioned condition and found more than 75% removal efficiency. The experimental and theoretical results closely match with each other. The percentage error difference between the experimental and predicted value is very low, which validity the findings of response model curve. It also indicates that the proposed model is adequate for obtaining most favorable value in the range of the studied parameters.

Figure 14. (a) Contour plot at 120 min and (b) Surface plot at 120 min.

Figure 15. Response model plot for fluoride removal.

4. Conclusion

Mesoporous MCM-41 has been found to be potential adsorbents for fluoride removal from water. The fluoride sorption onto MCM-41 materials is significantly influenced by pH of the medium. The maximum sorption capacity of the sorbent is calculated as 63.05 mg·g⁻¹ at 301 K and best at pH 6.3. The +ve ΔH⁰ (2.30 KJ·mol⁻¹) and –ve ΔG⁰ values reveal the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption process respectively. The adsorption process is a physico-chemical adsorption process rather than a pure physical or chemical one. The randomness increased at the solid-solution interface during adsorption, it is indicated from +ve ΔS⁰ value. Equilibrium sorption data shows a better fit to Langmuir isotherm than Freundlich one, indicating monolayer adsorption on the heterogeneous surface of MCM-41. Kinetics shows that adsorption of fluoride onto MCM-41 follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. RSM pointed out optimum percentage removal at pH = 6.3, initial concentration = 10 mg·L⁻¹ and contact time = 120 min with 77.88% of fluoride removal from aqueous solution. The experiments revealed more than 75% fluoride removal was achieved at the same environmental conditions. Confirmation experiments’ results depicted harmony of experimental values with predicted values. The analysis obviously demonstrated that the BBD design is one of the suitable techniques to enhance the best working conditions to determine the fluoride removal from the aqueous solution with minimum number of experiments. pH, initial concentration and contact time all factors were significant in removal of fluoride from the aqueous solution.

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to DRDO, Headquarters, New Delhi, for providing financial grant. Authors acknowledge Dr. Durlab Saikia, Gauhati University for TGA analysis of MCM-41.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

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