Modified biochar for phosphate adsorption in environmentally relevant conditions

[Display omitted] •Highly efficient phosphorus removal over a wide pH range.•Adsorption properties of different materials evaluated by partition coefficient.•Excellent adsorption performance at low phosphate concentrations. Herein, we explored the modification of wheat straw biochar with chitosan, quaternary ammonium salt, and lanthanum for enhanced phosphate removal in environmentally relevant conditions. Specifically, a new amine protected cross-linking method was utilized to modify the absorbent material for maximum adsorption capacity, reaching 109 ± 4 mg P g−1. The high phosphate removal performance of the composite was not significantly affected in a broad range of temperature (15–45 °C) and pH (2.5–7). 30 min allowed reaching a 100% adsorption equilibrium for 100 mg P L−1, and 93% for 25 mg P L−1, thus, significantly reducing the treatment time compared to previous reports. The highest partition coefficient 172.1 mg g−1 μM−1 was obtained at a concentration of 25 mg L−1, and the phosphorus removal rate was as high as 99.98%, indicating La/GTB have great adsorption performance at low phosphate concentration. The adsorption mechanisms of the composite are extensively described, where electrostatic interaction, ligand exchange, and Lewis acid-base interaction contribute to the process. All of the above-mentioned advantages make the prepared composite of great interest for the development of materials for on-site phosphate removal.