Comparison of adsorption models for the removal of fluorides, nitrates and sulfates by adsorption onto AFN membrane

Abstract

The main purpose of this work was to determine adsorption characteristics of fluoride, nitrate and sulfate ions on the AFN membrane. The sorption isotherms for , and ions on the AFN membrane were investigated in the range of 0.05–1 mol.L–1 at 298 K. The suitability of the Langmuir, Dubinin–Astakhov (D-A) and Redlich–Peterson adsorption models to the equilibrium data was investigated. The sorption parameters of the studied models were determined by non-linear regression and discussed. Equilibrium data obtained in this study were found to best fit the Langmuir isotherm. The ΔG° values deduced from the Langmuir isotherm suggest that the affinity order of the AFN membrane for the studied anions is: . In order to improve their selectivity towards monovalent ions, the AFN membrane was modified by adsorption of polyethyleneimine on its surface. Adsorption parameters values of the studied models were determined for the modified AFN membrane. The D-A model provides the best fit to the experimental points. In fact, removal of fluoride and nitrate ions by adsorption on the modified AFN membrane was more effective than the adsorption on the unmodified one. Desorption of fluoride from the modified AFN membrane by nitrate and sulfate ions was investigated.