Highly efficient phosphate sequestration in aqueous solutions using nanomagnesium hydroxide modified polystyrene materials

Phosphate removal is important for the control of eutrophication, and adsorption may serve as a powerful supplement to biological phosphate sequestration. Here, we develop a new composite adsorbent (denoted as HMO-PN) by encapsulating active nano-Mg(OH)₂ onto macroporous polystyrene beads modified with fixed quaternary ammonium groups [CH₂N⁺(CH₂)₃Cl]. The N⁺-tailored groups can accelerate the diffusion of target phosphate through electrostatic attractions. The performance of the as-prepared HMO-PN was found to depend on the pH value of an aqueous medium. HMO-PN also exhibits high sorption selectivity toward the target phosphate. Kinetic equilibrium of phosphate adsorption can be achieved within 100 min, and the calculated maximum adsorption capacity is approximately 1.47 mmol/g (45.6 mg/g). Column experiments further show that the effluent concentration of phosphate can be reduced to below 0.5 mg/L (500 BV), suggesting highly efficient phosphate sequestration. Moreover, the exhausted HMO-PN can be readily regenerated using an alkaline brine solution.