Mechanistic insights into the selective adsorption of phosphorus from wastewater by MgO(100)-functionalized cellulose sponge

Metal oxides have remained state-of-the-art adsorbents for recovering phosphorus from aqueous solutions, but their practical application is still limited by their unsatisfactory adsorption capacities and selectivities in wastewater. Here, using MgO as a model metal oxide, the strategy of employing porous cellulose sponge to support metal oxides featuring exposed specific crystal facets was proposed to develop promising phosphate adsorbents. The phosphate adsorption isotherms and kinetics were measured and the phosphate adsorption mechanism was explored. The results show that cellulose sponge-supported MgO(100) (C-MgO(100)) has a saturation capacity of 28.3 mg P/g, over ten times higher than MgO(100) particles. Importantly, the phosphate adsorption properties of C-MgO(100) are almost not affected in wastewater, demonstrating its exceptional selectivity for phosphate adsorption. In contrast, the saturation capacity of MgO(111)-functionalized cellulose sponge is obviously declined in wastewater. Experimental together with theoretical analyses indicate that phosphate is chemically adsorbed on C-MgO(100) with obvious electrons transfer from the p-orbital of phosphate, and the adsorption energy of C-MgO(100) towards phosphate is maintained in the presence of coexisting anions. Ultimately, regeneration experiments reveal that a regenerant formulation composed of KOH (wt.1 %) and tap water is suitable for the regeneration of C-MgO(100) with >82.6 % phosphate desorption efficiencies after 5 cycles, further confirming its potential in practical application for the treatment of real water. [Display omitted] •The support of MgO on cellulose sponge greatly improves its P saturation capacity.•C-MgO(100) has exceptional selectivity towards phosphate adsorption in wastewater.•C-MgO(100) maintains 82.6 % phosphate desorption efficiency after 5 cycles.•Tuning the crystal facets of MgO is effective to enhance P adsorption selectivity.