Regenerable magnetic aminated lignin/Fe3O4/La(OH)3 adsorbents for the effective removal of phosphate and glyphosate

Phosphates and organophosphorus cause environmental pollution , and excessive phosphate leads to water eutrophication . Glyphosate , an organophosphorus herbicide, harms the environment and human health. In this study, regenerable magnetic AL/Fe 3 O 4 /La(OH) 3 adsorbents were developed by modifying Fe 3 O 4 and La(OH) 3 on aminated lignin (AL) for phosphate and glyphosate removal. The adsorption capacity for phosphate and glyphosate reached 60.36 mg g −1 and 83.87 mg g −1 when the initial concentrations were 150 mg L −1 and 250 mg L −1 , respectively. The thermodynamic data showed that adsorption is a spontaneous and endothermic process. Adsorption can be applied at pH values ranging from 3 to 11 and is more suitable under acidic conditions. Fe 3 O 4 and La(OH) 3 both enhanced the adsorption capacities of phosphate and glyphosate. Phosphate and glyphosate compete slightly when coexisting in the adsorption process at low concentrations. Due to the magnetic properties of Fe 3 O 4 , the adsorbents can be separated rapidly and effectively with an external magnetic field. 89% adsorption capacity remained after four adsorption-desorption recycles. Thus, AL/Fe 3 O 4 /La(OH) 3 shows potential for phosphate and glyphosate removal as an effective and reusable adsorbent.