Investigation of phosphorous removal from wastewater through ion exchange of mesostructure based on inorganic material

This study assessed the phosphorous removal capacity of a mesostructure based on an inorganic material, titanium, in a batch experiment. The mesostructure and ion exchanges were confirmed by XRD and FT-IR, respectively. Equilibrium and kinetic studies were carried out to quantify the adsorption capacity and time dependent removal rate of phosphorous. Equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm and found to be a good fit. As a result, it was found that the maximum adsorption capacity for phosphorous by the titanium mesostructure was 49.28 mg/g. Kinetic data followed a pseudo-first/second-order kinetic model. The initial phosphorous adsorption onto the titanium mesostructure was fast. Due to the low cost and high adsorption capability, the titanium mesostructure has the potential to be utilized for the cost-effective removal of phosphorous from wastewater.

Research highlights
► Application suitable process for the removal of phosphorous using a mesostructure based on organic materials.
► The titanium mesostructure was found to be more efficient for phosphorous adsorption compared with the other adsorbents.
► The titanium mesostructure (TM) was an effective adsorbent for the removal of phosphorous from wastewater.
► Kinetic data followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.