Taguchi design and equilibrium modeling for fluoride adsorption on cerium loaded cellulose nanocomposite bead.

The cooperative influence of operational variables for fluoride adsorption on cerium loaded cellulose nanocomposite bead (CCNB) was assessed using Taguchi design tool. The percentage contribution of each operational variable was determined. The solution pH, with a maximum contribution of 80.78%, indicates its highest influence on the response, the adsorption percent of fluoride. The quality and validity of the experimental design were assessed from ANOVA and subsequently by the confirmation experiment. The equilibrium adsorption data showed that the Temkin isotherm is the most suited one compared to the Langmuir and Freundlich model. It is found that almost 90% adsorbed fluoride can be eluted with 0.01 (N) NaOH and the regenerated bead can successively be reused for at least three times.