In a significant stride towards sustainable water purification, researchers at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed a patented material capable of removing more than 90 per cent of fluoride from contaminated groundwater.
The innovation, which uses activated carbon derived from discarded jackfruit peel and modified with zirconium, offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to a pressing public health challenge.
Excessive fluoride in drinking water has long been recognised as a health hazard. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), prolonged exposure can lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis, affecting millions across India, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.
Conventional treatment methods such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and activated alumina have limitations ranging from high water wastage to reliance on harsh chemicals, making them less viable for widespread adoption.
Seeking a sustainable alternative, the NIT Rourkela team converted agricultural waste into a valuable resource. “The key idea behind this technology is to use an agricultural waste material as a resource for water purification,” explained Prof Susmita Mishra from the Department of Chemical Engineering, NIT Rourkela.
“We prepared activated carbon from discarded jackfruit peel and modified it with zirconium to improve its ability to capture fluoride from water. The material showed promising results in laboratory tests, removing over 90 per cent of fluoride within approximately 10 minutes under the tested conditions,” she added.
The research team, comprising Prof Mishra and Dr Pratima Minz, Research Graduate, NIT Rourkela, has secured a patent for the technology.
Laboratory trials demonstrated removal efficiencies of 90–97 per cent within 10–20 minutes at fluoride concentrations of 1–5 milligrams per litre, underscoring its potential for decentralised water treatment.
Highlighting the broader impact, Prof Mishra explained: “The potential of this technology lies in its use of an easily available agricultural by-product to develop a cost-effective material for fluoride removal. In the long term, the technology could contribute to decentralised water treatment solutions for communities in fluoride-affected regions, subject to further testing and validation.”
The innovation has reached Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL 4), indicating successful validation at the laboratory stage. The estimated synthesis cost stands at approximately Rs 37 per gram, factoring in electricity and chemical inputs.
The next phase will involve developing a physical prototype, assessing long-term performance, and evaluating operational costs for real-world deployment.
By transforming waste into a resource, the NIT Rourkela team has not only advanced water purification science but also reinforced the importance of sustainable innovation in addressing India’s pressing public health challenges.