Preparation and characterization of hydroxyapatite from Achatina achatina snail shells: effect of carbonate substitution and trace elements on defluoridation of water

A novel hydroxyapatite [HAp: Ca ₁₀ (PO ₄ ) ₆ (OH) ₂ ] material for defluoridation was prepared from Achatina achatina (AA) snail shells using a modified chemical precipitation method. X-ray diffractometry and atomic absorption spectrometry revealed carbonate substitution as a function of stirring conditions. Stirring time was varied to control crystallite size and trace element concentrations. In addition, Infrared spectra, cyclic voltammograms, and ion exchange profiles confirmed the functional groups, the surface mass concentration and the fluoride removal efficiency, respectively. It was observed that the samples prepared after 1 hr optimal stirring times reduced fluoride concentration from 20.00 to 1.59 ± 0:06mgL ^-1 without affecting the overall pH conditions of the water, whereas beyond this time frame, low uptake of the fluoride ions was obtained with increasing pH conditions. It was also observed that crystallite size did not affect the removal capacity of the samples. The results demonstrated herein the possibility of using locally prepared AA shells for water purification and other environmental remediation applications.