Three-dimensional porous chitosan gel microspheres loaded with Ni and La for the treatment of inorganic and organic phosphorus in the water environment

• Published in: Journal of water process engineering Vol. 63; p. 105476
• Main Authors: Zhou, Yue, Lin, Fangbin, Wang, XiaoDong, Wang, Hui, Xue, Bingchun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Adsorbents; Gel microsphere; Phosphorus removal; Water quality improvement; Wide pH range; Gel microsphere; Phosphorus removal; Water quality improvement; Wide pH range; Adsorbents
• ISSN: 2214-7144; 2214-7144
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.105476

The development of adsorbents with high adsorption capacity and wide adaptable pH range was crucial to effectively controlling of water environment pollution. In this study, three-dimensional porous chitosan gel microspheres loaded with Ni and La (Ni-La-CS) were prepared for the adsorption of excessive phosphorus. The performance was investigated using glyphosate isopropylamine salt (GIS) and KH2PO4, which were selected as representative substances for organic and inorganic phosphorus. Results showed that Ni-La-CS exhibited high phosphorus removal efficiency with wide adaptable pH range. The adsorption process was monomolecular layer chemisorption, and the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The coexistence of F− promoted the adsorption of phosphorus, while Cl−, SO42−, CO32− and HCO3− inhibited the adsorption. The material retained stability even after 5 cycles and the actual phosphorus-containing wastewater with 3.13 mg·L−1 could be treated to meet Chinese first-class standard. [Display omitted] •Ni-La-CS gel microspheres were synthesized using Ni and La bimetallic ions cross-linked with chitosan.•Ni-La-CS had excellent adsorption performance for small concentrations of organic and inorganic phosphorus.•The material exhibited high phosphorus removal efficiency over a wide pH range from 2 to 11.•When Ni-La-CS was applied to actual water bodies, the phosphorus content in the water was greatly reduced.•Gel microspheres facilitated a more efficient separation process.