Modeling sorption of fluoride on to iron rich laterite

[Display omitted] ► Surface complexation modeling for F on natural material conducted for first time. ► Effect of pH, ionic strength and loading of F− on iron rich laterite was studied. ► Dual site diffuse double layer modeling with XPS, SEM and FT-IR carried out. ► High affinity of F− observed on AlOH sites via monodentate mononuclear interaction. The efficacy and the interface interactions of fluoride on laterite were investigated using batch methods; under various ionic strengths, pH, fluoride loading and diverse spectroscopy along with surface complexation modeling. The laterite used in this study was rich in iron (40%) and aluminum (30%). Proton binding sites were characterized by potentiometric titrations yielding pHZPC around pH 8.72. Adsorption of fluoride on laterite is strongly pH dependent showing a maximum adsorption at pH