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Phosphate-functionalized ramie stalk adsorbent for efficient removal of Zn2+ from water: adsorption performance, mechanism, and fixed-bed column treatment of real wastewater

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Abstract

A highly efficient adsorbent functionalized with phosphate groups made from a local agricultural waste, ramie stalk, was designed for Zn2+ removal from water. SEM, EDS, FTIR, zeta potential, and XPS tests were used to study the morphology and properties of modified ramie stalk (RS-P). The results showed that the phosphate groups were successfully grafted to the surface of the ramie stalk, which has a multilayered and porous structure and can provide large adsorption sites. Adsorption performance and mechanism were investigated in the static and dynamic adsorption experiments. The adsorption kinetics of Zn2+ by RS-P were better fitted by the pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemical adsorption. Adsorption isotherm was better described by Redlich–Peterson isotherm, which suggested heterogeneous and multi-site adsorption, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.558 mmol g−1. The characterization of adsorbents before and after adsorption indicated that a combined action of electrostatic interaction and ion exchange was the primary mechanism of adsorption. Dynamic adsorption experiments with fixed-bed column displayed excellent water treatment capabilities. RS-P exhibited good reusability in 5 cycles without much deterioration in its adsorption performances. Complex co-existing ions impaired Zn2+ adsorption during real wastewater treatment. This research benefits agricultural waste recycling and provides safe water to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

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Funding

This work is financially supported by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (no. 2021YJ0331), the Opening Project of Sichuan Higher Education Key Laboratory of Characteristic Plant Development Research (no. TSZW2102), the scientific research project of Sichuan University of Arts and Science (no. 2018SCL002Z, 2018TZ002Y), and the Doctoral Research Fund of Sichuan University of Arts and Science (no. 2019BS014Z).

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  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University of Arts and Science, Dazhou, 635000, People’s Republic of China

    Fen Wang, XiaoLi Hu, Cheng Tang, Changlu Liu & Zhaoju Zhu

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  1. Fen Wang
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  2. XiaoLi Hu
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  3. Cheng Tang
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  4. Changlu Liu
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  5. Zhaoju Zhu
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Contributions

All the authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Fen Wang, XiaoLi Hu, and Changlu Liu. Material characterization and sorption kinetic data analysis were performed by Zhaoju Zhu and Cheng Tang. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Fen Wang. All the authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Fen Wang.

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Wang, F., Hu, X., Tang, C. et al. Phosphate-functionalized ramie stalk adsorbent for efficient removal of Zn2+ from water: adsorption performance, mechanism, and fixed-bed column treatment of real wastewater. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 6245–6261 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22590-z

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