A BIFUNCTIONAL Fe3O4@ZEOLITE MAGNETIC COMPOSITE DESIGNED VIA A SYNERGISTIC DUAL-SITE MECHANISM FOR THE EFFIACIENT AND SIMULTANEOUS REMOVAL OF AMMONIA NITROGEN AND PHOSPHATE FROM RURAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE
Keywords:
magnetic nanocomposite material, Fe3O4@Zeolite, ammonia nitrogen removal, phosphate removal
Abstract
Developing efficient materials for the simultaneous removal of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from rural domestic sewage is critical for eutrophication control. This study constructed a bifunctional Fe3O4@Zeolite magnetic composite via a hydrothermal method to achieve this goal. Characterization results confirmed the uniform loading of Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto the zeolite framework. The composite demonstrated excellent simultaneous removal performance at neutral pH (6.0–7.0), achieving 83.6 % ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and 81.2 % phosphate (PO43–-P) removal. The adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics with rapid equilibrium (60 min). The Langmuir isotherm model indicated maximum adsorption capacities of 23.5 mg/g for NH4+-N and 21.6 mg/g for PO43–-P. Mechanistic analysis via XPS revealed a distinct “site-specific” synergy: NH4+-N was captured via ion exchange with the zeolite lattice, while PO43–-P formed stable inner-sphere complexes (Fe-O-P) with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The adsorption process was spontaneous (ΔG° < 0) and endothermic (ΔH° < 0). Furthermore, the composite exhibited excellent magnetic separability and reusability, retaining over 88 % of its initial efficiency after five regeneration cycles. It also effectively treated real rural sewage, validating its engineering potential as a robust, multifunctional environmental material.
References
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1J. Tian, J. Y. Ji, Z. Q. Liu, J. Huang and W. T. Xue, Effect evaluation of decentralized domestic sewage treatment facilities in rural areas - a case study of Nantong City, China, Water Sci. Technol., 88 (2023) 3, 711-722, doi: 10.2166/wst.2023.208
2X. F. Chen, L. Q. Chao, Y. L. Wan, X. Y. Wang and X. C. Pu, Study of the characteristics of pollutants in rural domestic sewage and the optimal sewage treatment process: a Chengdu Plain case study, Water Sci. Technol., 87 (2023) 9, 2373-2389, doi: 10.2166/wst.2023.139
3J. J. Lan, L. L. Liu, X. Wang, X. X. Wu and Z. P. Wang, DOM tracking and prediction of rural domestic sewage with UV-vis and EEM in the Yangtze River Delta, China, Environ. Sci. Pollut. R., 29 (2022) 49, 74579-74590, doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-20979-4
4G. Insel, G. Yilmaz, F. Hazi and N. Artan, Model-based evaluation of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in aerobic granular sludge systems, Environ. Sci. Pollut. R., 30 (2023) 60, 124780-124789, doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-25252-w
5F. Yin, S. Fukutani, M. Toyama, T. Yamamura and T. Suzuki, Radium separation from thorium and manufacturing of targets by precipitation method, J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., 333 (2024) 11, 6039-6046, doi: 10.1007/s10967-024-09496-5
6M. A. M. Alzaky, S. S. E. Ahmed, R. A. Basheer, R. Siddig, T. A. Ibraheem, M. Kashif, F. K. Wang, H. Y. Lu, J. Y. Tan and D. X. Li, Yellow phosphorus and Potash for SOX and NOX removal, Environ. Technol., 43 (2022) 25, 3993-4001, doi: 10.1080/09593330.2021.1939431
7Y. Ma, J. Y. Hu, K. Fan, W. Chen, S. C. Han, Q. M. Wu, Y. H. Ma, A. M. Zheng, E. Kunkes, T. De Baerdemaeker, A. N. Parvulescu, N. Bottke, T. Yokoi, D. E. De Vos, X. J. Meng and F. S. Xiao, Design of an Organic Template for Synthesizing ITR Zeolites under Ge-Free Conditions, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 145 (2023) 31, 17284-17291, doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c04652
8K. K. Razmakhnin, Development and Justification of Treatment and Modification Technology for East Transbaikalia Zeolite Rocks, J. Min. Sci., 57 (2021) 3, 493-501, doi: 10.1134/s1062739121030145
9V. V. Golovko, V. A. Kostin and V. V. Zhukov, Influence of Nanomodification on the Microstructure of the Metal of Welded Joints of Low-Alloy Steels, Mater. Sci., 59 (2024) 6, 762-769, doi: 10.1007/s11003-024-00838-y
10W. Y. Zhang and E. P. C. Lai, Chemical Functionalities of 3-aminopropyltriethoxy-silane for Surface Modification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles, Silicon, 14 (2022) 12, 6535-6545, doi: 10.1007/s12633-021-01477-7
11R. F. Nafchi, R. Ahmadi, M. Heydari, M. R. Rahimipour, M. J. Molaei and L. Unsworth, In Vitro Study: Synthesis and Evaluation of Fe3O4/CQD Magnetic/Fluorescent Nanocomposites for Targeted Drug Delivery, MRI, and Cancer Cell Labeling Applications, Langmuir, 38 (2022) 12, 3804-3816, doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c03458
12B. Q. Gao, Y. Feng, X. M. Chen and J. Zhang, A new PLA-Tween composited drug-carrying C60-Fe3O4 multifunctional ultrasound contrast agent based on three kinds of lesions, RSC Adv., 11 (2021) 49, 31015-31029, doi: 10.1039/d1ra04936d
13Y. G. Chen, Q. Chen and M. A. Chen, Influence of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane/tetraethylorthosilicate mixture pretreatment on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of zeolite coating, Surf. Eng., 39 (2023) 5, 625-635, doi: 10.1080/02670844.2023.2240565
14T. H. Gonsalves, M. K. G. Channabasappa, R. M. Rangarasaiah and S. Joladarashi, Dynamic characterization of hybrid composite material of rotor-bearing support system, Mech. Adv. Mater. Struc., 29 (2022) 16, 2342-2357, doi: 10.1080/15376494.2020.1861667
15B. S. Wee, M. F. Maligan, S. F. Chin, M. S. Elias and N. Shirai, Adsorption of U(VI) ions using functionalized sago hampas: kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics studies, J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem., 333 (2024) 6, 2679-2689, doi: 10.1007/s10967-024-09489-4
16A. K. Rakishev, M. D. Vedenyapina, S. A. Kulaishin and D. Kurilov, Adsorption of Salicylic Acid from Aqueous Solutions on Microporous Granular Activated Carbon, Solid Fuel Chem., 55 (2021) 2, 117-122, doi: 10.3103/s0361521921020063
17Y. Liu, L. J. Xia, H. Guo, A. M. Wang, J. B. Hu, W. Zhang, W. L. Xu and Y. L. Wang, Kinetics and Thermodynamics Studies of Cationic Dye Adsorption onto Carboxymethyl Cotton Fabric, J. Nat. Fibers, 19 (2022) 1, 173-184, doi: 10.1080/15440478.2020.1731908
18S. N. Taqui, C. S. Mohan, B. A. Khatoon, M. E. M. Soudagar, T. M. Y. Khan, M. A. Mujtaba, W. Ahmed, A. Elfasakhany, R. Kumar and C. I. Pruncu, Sustainable adsorption method for the remediation of malachite green dye using nutraceutical industrial fenugreek seed spent, Biomass Convers. Bior., 13 (2023) 10, 9119-9130, doi: 10.1007/s13399-021-01827-w
19G. Özsin and E. A. Varol, Potential of microwave-assisted hydrothermal modification for enhanced fly ash adsorption capacity toward to heavy metals: A comprehensive investigation of adsorbent characterization, isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics, Sep. Sci. Technol., 59 (2024) 1, 71-86, doi: 10.1080/01496395.2024.2315611
20Q. Z. Zhai, Study on adsorption of methylene blue by modified peanut shell: adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics, isotherm properties, Chem. Eng. Commun., 211 (2024) 4, 633-646, doi: 10.1080/00986445.2023.2255533
21M. Shigei, R. B. Herbert, F. Persson, E. Sokolova and S. S. Dalahmeh, Efficient removal of organic matter and nitrogen from municipal wastewater in multi-module biochar filters for onsite wastewater treatment, Environ. Technol., 46 (2025) 9, 1531-1543, doi: 10.1080/09593330.2024.2402096
22T. T. Dezfouli, M. Kashefiolasl, R. Marandi, M. Emtyazjoo and M. Javaheri, Carbon Aerogel Coated Air-Cathode Bioelectrochemical System for Simultaneous Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal, Iran. J. Chem. Chem. Eng. Int. E. Edit., 40 (2021) 5, 1431-1445, doi: 10.30492/ijcce.2020.43236
23Q. Sun, J. H. Yuan, Z. Y. Yang, Q. Q. Shen, X. P. Hou, M. Zhang, Y. Q. Wu, C. Y. Zhong and D. Xu, Optimized preparation, characterization and the adsorption mechanism of magnesium-modified bentonite-based porous adsorbents: thermodynamic and kinetic analysis, New J. Chem., 49 (2025) 12, 4982-5001, doi: 10.1039/d4nj04076g
24X. Zhang, S. W. Luo, J. X. Duan, T. Lan and Y. Wei, Fabrication of sodium alginate-doped carbon dot composite hydrogel and its application for La (III) adsorption and enhanced the removal of phosphorus, Environ. Sci. Pollut. R., 30 (2023) 49, 108230-108246, doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-29958-9
25X. R. Zhou, X. L. Han, Z. Y. Qu, J. X. Zhang, F. Zeng, Z. C. Tang and R. Z. Chen, Hierarchical FAU Zeolites Boosting the Hydrocracking of Polyolefin Waste into Liquid Fuels, ACS Sustain. Chem. Eng., 12 (2024) 15, 6013-6022, doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c01097
26R. Sürmeli, Ö. Madenli, A. Bayrakdar, E. Deveci and B. Calli, Phosphate recovery from digestate using magnesium-modified fungal biochar, Clean Technol. Envir. Policy, 27 (2025) 8, 3557-3571, doi: 10.1007/s10098-024-03035-2
Published
2026-02-05
How to Cite
1.
Zhu X. A BIFUNCTIONAL Fe3O4@ZEOLITE MAGNETIC COMPOSITE DESIGNED VIA A SYNERGISTIC DUAL-SITE MECHANISM FOR THE EFFIACIENT AND SIMULTANEOUS REMOVAL OF AMMONIA NITROGEN AND PHOSPHATE FROM RURAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE. MatTech [Internet]. 2026Feb.5 [cited 2026Sep.8];60(1):121–134. Available from: https://mater-tehnol.si/index.php/MatTech/article/view/1593
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