Abstract
The primary objective of this paper was to synthesize a porous calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) with enhanced phosphate recovery property using polyethyleneglycol (PEG) as pore-generation agent. The formation mechanism of porous CSH was proposed. PEG molecules were inserted into the void region of oxygen–silicon tetrahedron chains and the layers of CSH. A steric hindrance layer was generated to prevent the aggregation of solid particles. A porous structure was formed due to the residual space caused by the removal of PEG through incineration. This porous CSH exhibited highly enhanced solubility of Ca2+ and OH− due to the decreased particle size, declined crystalline, and increased specific surface area (SBET) and pore volume. Supersaturation was increased in the wastewater with the enhanced solubility, which was beneficial to the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystallization. Thus, phosphate can be recovered from wastewater by producing HAP using porous CSH as crystal seed. In addition, the regenerated phosphate-containing products (HAP) can be reused to achieve sustainable utilization of phosphate. The present research could provide an effective approach for the synthesis of porous CSH and the enhancement of phosphate recovery properties for environmental applications.
Highlights
Phosphorus is one of the most important elements in the biosphere and a component of biological cells
The pH values of phosphate-content solution were in the range of 7.0–7.5 before the calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) sample was added into this solution
The SBET and pore structure of the synthesized samples were investigated by adsorption–desorption measurements
Summary
Phosphorus is one of the most important elements in the biosphere and a component of biological cells. This element is essential for storage of energy and composition of genetic materials [1,2]. An essential element for organisms such as plants, phosphorous in the form of phosphate is a vital ingredient in fertilizers. Large-scale use of phosphate has depleted many of the natural resources of phosphorous. It is noteworthy that this precious and depleting resource will be exhausted as a result of increased consumption in the near future [5]. Phosphorus in the wastewater mainly exists in the form of phosphate [8]
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