Extraction of Nanocellulose Fiber from Agrowastes for Efficient Fluoride Removal: A Sustainable Approach

The subject of water defluorination is becoming increasingly important, owing to chronic diseases such as fluorosis, neurological impairment and bone softening caused by fluoride contamination of drinking water in excess of 1.5 mg L–1. Agrowastes (cotton seed and groundnut shells), the commonly available and renewable resource, were used as the precursor for the production of nanocellulose fiber i.e. cotton seed nanocellulose fiber (CNF) and groundnut shell nanocellulose fiber (GNF) as an exceptional method for fluoride removal. The physico-chemical characterization techniques were employed to analyze the structure and morphology of the synthesized nanocellulose fibre. To optimize the adsorption process, the impacts of several parameters including pH, contact time and adsorbent dosage were evaluated. The maximum amount of fluoride that could be removed under ideal conditions was investigated using a UV-visible spectrophotometry and was found to be 90%. This approach offers several advantages such as low-cost raw materials, eco-friendly synthesis methods and a high-performance adsorbent.