Removal of Fluoride Ions in Stored Drinking Water by Triethylamine Chemically Modified Polyethylene Containers
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Date
2019
Authors
Mbugua, G. W.
Mwangi, I. W.
Wanjau, R. N.
Sauda, S.
Msagati, T.
Ngila, J.C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
This paper reports the removal of fluoride ions in stored drinking water by a container made from chemically
modified polyethylene material. To anchor triethylamine within the structure of the polyethylene material and
improve its value, the polyethylene was first heated to melting. To the molten material, hot vegetable oil was added
slowly with continuous heating followed by a strongly basic hydrogen peroxide solution then activated with
triethylamine to produce a water insoluble material. The resulting synthesized products were characterized using
FTIR and13C NMR after each step. The triethylamine activated epoxy material was molded into a one liter container
which was cured for three hours in an electric oven at 150 C to form a hard mechanically strong container. It was
then used for water storage and removal of dissolved fluoride ions. Its ability to remove fluoride ions was based on
complexation reaction between the fluoride ions- quaternary ammonium compounds. A 40% removal efficiency was
achieved from a solution containing 12.5 mg l-1 of fluoride ions in less than 7 days of storage at the physiological pH
of water. The existence of sulphate and nitrate ions had no observed significant effect on the fluoride removal
process. This study revealed that the container has a potential application for the remediation of fluoride laden
waters in the rural areas during the water storage process to make it safe for domestic consumption.
Description
An Article Published in International Journal of Environmental Research
Keywords
Fluoride, Polyethylene, Remediation, Regenerate, Quaternary ammonium compounds