Efficient removal of phosphate from aqueous solution by mesoporous Zr/La hydroxide fibers prepared with high-pressure steam heat treatment

Abstract

One-dimensional mesoporous Zr/La bimetallic hydroxide fibers (ZLFs) were prepared for the first time, by one-step electrospinning and high-pressure steam heat-treatment method, and they were used for effective removal of phosphate. The as-obtained fibers had a homogeneous composition and a large surface area, and they benefited from the high-pressure steam heat-treatment. Optimum heat-treatment conditions were confirmed, and the special hydrolysis mechanism in fibers and the Zr/La hydroxides formation process were analyzed. ZLFs with maximum surface area of 233.31 m2/g were obtained at a Zr/La mole ratio of 0.4:0.6. Influence of the Zr/La mole ratio of fibers on the adsorption property was examined; an impressive phosphate adsorption performance was observed with saturated adsorption capacity reaching 453.63 mg/g at a Zr/La mole ratio of 0.5:0.5. Notably, the ZLFs exhibited great anti-interference abilities against co-existing ions and pH values, along with good recycling performance. In summary, the ZLFs, produced via an easy method, with outstanding adsorption performance and high reusability, have great potential as adsorbents in the phosphate adsorption field.