Abstract:
In order to overcome the limited active sites and low adsorption capacity of natural serpentine (Srp), a bimetallic Y-La modified serpentine adsorbent (Y-La/Srp) was synthesized via a co-precipitation method for fluoride (F
−) removal from aqueous solutions. The optimal adsorbent performance was achieved at a Y/La atomic molar ratio of 2 to 1 (Y
2-La
1/Srp). Using state-of-the-art characterization techniques, the surface properties of Y
2-La
1/Srp and the mechanisms governing F
− adsorption were elucidated, and its efficiency for fluoride removal from aqueous systems was systematically assessed. The results showed that under an initial F
− concentration of 10 mg·L
−1, an adsorbent dosage of 0.4 g·L
−1, pH 4, and a temperature of 298 K, Adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 2 h, delivering an adsorption capacity of 23.78 mg·g
−1 and a fluoride removal efficiency of 95.11%. At pH 4 and 318 K, the maximum adsorption capacity obtained from isotherm fitting reached 205.34 mg·g
−1. The adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and was well described by the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating a spontaneous, endothermic process dominated by multilayer chemisorption. Among coexisting anions, PO
43− and SO
42− exerted the most pronounced inhibitory effects. Compared with pristine serpentine, Y
2-La
1/Srp exhibited a larger pore volume and average pore size. After four adsorption–desorption cycles, the material retained 71.84% of its initial fluoride removal efficiency. Fluoride adsorption on Y
2-La
1/Srp was governed by electrostatic attraction, ion exchange, and surface complexation. The above results indicate that Y
2-La
1/Srp has a strong affinity for F
− in water and is a promising adsorbent for fluoride removal.