Chinese researchers developed a porous composite material from invasive sumac plant waste, demonstrating high capacity for removing fluoride from contaminated water, in an innovation that combines water pollution treatment with utilizing plant waste and converting it into materials with environmental applications.
Laboratory experiments showed that one gram of the composite material was able to capture approximately 469.64 milligrams of fluoride at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, while the material maintained stable performance within a pH range of 5 to 11.
For his part, the scientific website Newswise reported on Saturday that researchers from Northeast Normal University in China used sumac plant waste to produce a porous carbon material, which they enhanced with magnesium oxide nanoparticles to form a compound combining the properties of both materials in capturing and retaining fluoride.
It pointed out that high fluoride concentration in drinking water is a health issue, as prolonged excessive exposure can lead to dental fluorosis or skeletal fluorosis, despite the importance of fluoride at appropriate concentrations in preventing tooth decay.
Analyses added that the efficiency is attributed to the porous structure providing multiple reactive sites, as well as chemical interactions between fluoride and magnesium-containing compounds, which help capture and retain it.
The study clarified that the composite material achieved higher efficiency than its individual components when tested separately, although its fluoride removal capacity was affected by increased bicarbonate concentration and higher ionic strength of the water, indicating the importance of the water's chemical composition in determining treatment effectiveness.
This research highlights the potential of utilizing plant waste, especially that from invasive plants, in producing materials with practical value, thereby supporting the development of more sustainable methods for water treatment and reducing environmental pollution.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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