Dextran-graft-Poly(Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Gels: A New Biosorbent for Fluoride Removal of Water

Now a day, fluoride contamination in ground water has been recognized as one of the contaminants for human consumption leading to various diseases [1]. Recently, considerable interesthas been generated in the development of polymeric adsorbents as a tool for removing fluoride from pollutedsystems [2]. On the other hand, utilization of natural resources in developing ion adsorbents (biosorbent) is increasing because of their cost-effective, eco-friendly, and renewablenature. Dextran is a hydrophilic, biocompatible and watersoluble polysaccharide and can be used as fluoride biosorbentafter modifications. In this study, dextran-graft-poly(hydroxylethyl methacrylate) gels were prepared and employed to remove fluoride fromaqueous fluoride solution. The synthetic conditions for preparation of gels, i.e., concentrations of monomer, crosslinker and initiator to achieve maximum fluorideabsorbency were optimized through the Taguchi experimental design method