Phosphorus adsorption by a modified polyampholyte-diatomaceous earth material containing imidazole and carboxylic acid moieties: batch and dynamic studiesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nj04031d

The aim of this study was to investigate phosphorus removal in water by using a polyampholyte obtained by the reaction of methacrylic acid, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether and imidazole by a one step synthesis, mixed with diatomaceous earth. The material was characterized before and after phosphorus exposure using FT-IR, Raman, and solid state 31 P-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy concluding that the charged imidazole units were involved in the interaction between the phosphorus and the polyampholyte and that only the H 2 PO 4 − species was adsorbed. The point of zero charge value was 5.09. Concomitantly, the optimal pH for P adsorption was 5.0. As pH was increased, the polymer turned more negative, and the phosphate repulsion diminished the adsorption. In the batch experiments, the adsorption isotherms at pH values 5.0 and 7.0 were studied. The effects of different flow rates, P influent concentration and the interference of nitrate and sulfate in the breakthrough curves were studied. A shorter breakthrough time occurred at a higher flow rate. The q 0 values not only increased from lower to higher influent levels but also showed a decrease in the presence of S and N as interferents demonstrating that there was a competition for the adsorption sites between those anions and the phosphate. Phosphorus removal in water was achieved by using a polyampholyte supported on diatomaceous earth.