Phosphate removal ability of biochar/MgAl-LDH ultra-fine composites prepared by liquid-phase deposition

Morphological structures and adsorption properties of biochar/MgAl-LDH ultra-fine composites prepared by liquid-phase deposition have been determined in laboratory. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were used to characterize the biochar based ultra-composites. The XRD and FTIR data indicated that the biochar/MgAl-LDHs ultra-fine composites can successfully be obtained by liquid-phase deposition. The SEM images showed the dispersion of colloidal and nanosized LDH flakes on the carbon surfaces within the biochar matrix. The thickness and size of single LDH platelet are 20-40 nm and 100-300 nm. Batch sorption experiments were also conducted and the results indicated that the biochar/MgAl-LDHs ultra-fine composites is an effective sorbent for the removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions.