Facile synthesis of hydrous zirconia-impregnated chitosan beads as a filter medium for efficient removal of phosphate from water

The removal and recovery of phosphate from water using adsorption technology require that the adsorbent material is easily separable treated water. Continuous efforts are still awaited to develop additional efficient adsorbents economical fabricate. In this study, hydrous zirconia-impregnated chitosan beads (HZCB) containing different Zr/chitosan ratios were synthesized a facile scheme. We found HZCB with Zr/amine molar ratio ~ 1 (HZCB-1) possessed excellent stability performance. This optimized was characterized XRD, SEM, FTIR, XPS, specific surface area point zero charge measurements. maximum capacity 42.02 mg/g (at pH 6.7). kinetics best described by pseudosecond-order model, rate constant HZCB-1 much lower than its powder but similar commercial bead product Ferrolox. depended substantially upon enhanced lowering pH. Good selectivity for observed, although coexistence sulfate produced significant negative effect. Direct coordination Zr atoms replacing hydroxyls dominant mechanism (~ 85%), while also contributed 15%). Adsorbed successfully eluted an NaOH solution, obtained after desorption regeneration able be repeatedly used. results column studies indicated could implemented in long-term application.