Application of response surface methodology to optimize the process variables for fluoride ion removal using maghemite nanoparticles

Adsorption of fluoride ion was done from its aqueous solution by using maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles. Effects of the major independent variables (temperature, adsorbent dose and pH) and their interactions during fluoride ion adsorption were determined by response surface methodology (RSM) based on three-level three-factorial Box–Behnken design (BBD). Optimized values of temperature, maghemite nanoparticle dose and pH for fluoride sorption were found as 313 K, 0.5 g/L, and 4, respectively. In order to investigate the mechanism of fluoride removal, various adsorption isotherms such as Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Florry–Huggins were fitted. The experimental data revealed that the Langmuir isotherm gave a more satisfactory fit for fluoride removal. The adsorption process was rapid and obeyed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The values of thermodynamic parameters ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° indicated that adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic in nature.