Preparation of Fe2O3 porous microspheres modified pumice and its adsorption performance on phosphate removal

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2023-06, Vol.11 (3), p.109995, Article 109995
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yong, Xiao, Yi-Fan, Xu, Guang-Song, Wang, De-Cai, Li, Jie, Huang, Jian, Jin, Zhen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Fe2O3 porous microspheres; Phosphate pollution; Pumice
• ISSN: 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2023.109995

Fe2O3 porous microspheres modified pumice (Fe2O3@pumice) was generated in this study using a simple hydrothermal method. XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, and TG-DSC analyses were employed for characterization. The results show that the pumice is encapsulated by a large amount of Fe2O3 porous microspheres. Fe2O3@pumice exhibits good phosphate adsorption property. The adsorption process follows the Freundlich isothermal adsorption model and Pseudo-secondary adsorption kinetic model, and the adsorption capacity is more than 378.8 mg/g. It shows outstanding phosphate removal capacity throughout the pH range of 3–11. The adsorbent has fewer effects on coexisting anions and good performances of reusability. The adsorption mechanism is mainly attributed to ligand exchange. Electrostatic attraction also existed in the adsorption process. The column test indicated that the adsorption column can continuously treat 2106 bed volumes of sewage with 2 mg/L phosphate. [Display omitted] •The low-cost Fe2O3 porous microspheres modified pumice was developed through a facile wet chemistry method.•The max loading amount is over 1.35 g/g.•The adsorption capacity for phosphate is larger than 378.8 mg/g.•In a wide range of 3–11, pH has little effect on phosphate removal.•The adsorption column can treated 2106 bed volumes of phosphate sewage.