One-step synthesis of magnetite core/zirconia shell nanocomposite for high efficiency removal of phosphate from water

Abstract

A self-assembled magnetite core/zirconia shell (Fe3O4@ZrO2) nanoparticle material was fabricated by the one-step co-precipitation method to capture phosphate from water. Fe3O4@ZrO2 with different Fe/Zr molar ratios were obtained and characterized by XRD, TEM, BET surface area and magnetization. It was shown that, with the decreasing of Fe/Zr molar ratio, magnetization decreased whereas surface area and adsorption capacity of phosphate increased. Fe3O4@ZrO2 with the ratio of higher than 4:1 had satisfactory magnetization property (>23.65emu/g), enabling rapid magnetic separation from water and recycle of the spent adsorbent. The Langmuir adsorption capacity of Fe3O4@ZrO2 reached 27.93–69.44mg/g, and the adsorption was fast (90% of phosphate removal within 20min). The adsorption decreases with increasing pH, and higher ionic strength caused slight increase in adsorption at pH>about 5.5. The presence of chloride, nitrate and sulfate anions did not bring about significant changes in adsorption. As a result, Fe3O4@ZrO2 performed well to remove phosphate from real wastewater. These results were interpreted by the ligand exchange mechanism, i.e., the direct coordination of phosphate onto zirconium by replacement of hydroxyl groups. Results suggested that phosphate reacted mainly with surface hydroxyl groups but diffusion into interior of zirconia phase also contributed to adsorption. The adsorbed phosphate could be desorbed with a NaOH treatment and the regenerated Fe3O4@ZrO2 could be repeatedly used.