Aqueous Phase Removal of Fluoride as Fluorosis agent Using Montmorillonite Clay as Natural Nanoadsorbent

Natural nanomaterial; Montmorillonite Clay was collected and purified and then applied in the removal of Fluoride. The Montmorillonite Clay was grounded and 150g was weighed and refluxed in 500mL 1MHCl at 1200C for one hour thirty minutes and activated Montmorillonite Clay was obtained. Flouride was determined with the aid of SPADNS Reagent (2-parasulfophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxy-3,6-naphthalene disulfanate) using UV/Visible spectrophotometer (Model JENWAY 6300) at the wavelength of 570 nm. Adsorption parameters studied were; adsorbent dose, contact time and pH effect. Fluoride was removed with a maximum percentage of 83.5% at optimum pH of 2 with contact time of 50 minutes and adsorbent dose of 2.0 g as well as temperature of 25oC. Two most used kinetic models were employed in this research which are Pseudo-first and Pseudo-second order. The experimental data was found follow Pseud-second kinetic than Pseudo-first order. Thus, Montmorillonite clay as a natural nanoadsorbent could be use to remove fluoride which could help in the prevention of dental fluorosis.