Layered Double Hydroxides for Phosphate Removal and Recovery
Summary
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are two-dimensional anionic clays composed of mixed metal hydroxide layers and exchangeable interlayer anions. Their tunable composition and high surface area render them highly effective for phosphate removal and recovery from aqueous environments. Phosphate sorption on LDHs proceeds primarily via surface complexation and interlayer anion exchange, often supplemented by electrostatic attraction, inner-sphere complexation and, in some cases, precipitation of secondary phases. Variations in divalent and trivalent metal cations allow tailoring of sorption capacity, selectivity and stability under different pH and ionic strength conditions. Composite materials, such as LDH-supported activated carbon or biochar, combine rapid adsorption kinetics with enhanced mechanical stability and regeneration potential. After adsorption, desorption protocols using alkaline or saline solutions enable phosphate recovery for reuse as fertiliser, closing the nutrient loop. Despite challenges in maintaining crystallinity and selectivity in complex wastewaters, recent developments have focused on enhancing structural robustness, minimising metal leaching and improving regeneration efficiency. The global significance of LDH-based phosphate management spans wastewater treatment, eutrophication control and sustainable agriculture, offering a versatile platform for addressing phosphorus scarcity and environmental pollution.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have investigated the influence of metal composition within LDHs on phosphate uptake. A systematic screening of binary and ternary LDHs containing combinations of Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Cr and Fe revealed that synergistic effects between selected divalent and trivalent cations can greatly enhance sorption capacities. In particular, Cu–Zn–Cr and Zn–Cr variants exhibited the highest phosphate uptake, while sorption kinetics and desorption behaviour were found to depend more on specific element pairs than on surface area alone. The work also characterised isotherms and reaction kinetics, highlighting both rapid equilibrium attainment and efficient phosphate release for reuse.
Layered Double Hydroxides for Phosphate Removal and Recovery publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in layered double hydroxides for phosphate removal and recovery across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Layered double hydroxide (LDH): A crystalline material composed of positively charged brucite-like layers with exchangeable interlayer anions.
Anion exchange: A process in which negatively charged species in solution replace interlayer anions within an LDH structure.
Surface complexation: The attachment of ions to active sites on the material surface via chemical bonds.
Sorption kinetics: The rate at which a sorbent removes solute species from solution.
Desorption: The release of adsorbed ions from a sorbent, facilitating material regeneration and resource recovery.
References
- Screening Different Divalent and Trivalent Metals Containing Binary and Ternary Layered Double Hydroxides for Optimum Phosphate Uptake. Scientific Reports (2019).
- Phosphate Recovery from Urine-Equivalent Solutions for Fertilizer Production for Plant Growth. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2023).
- Tuning the stability and phosphate sorption of novel MnII/IVFeII/III layered double hydroxides. Chemical Engineering Journal (2022).
- Glycine- and Alanine-Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxides as Highly Efficient Adsorbents for Phosphate with Kinetic Advantages. Nanomaterials (2022).
- Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxide Doped Activated Carbon Composites for Phosphate Removal from Synthetic Water: Adsorption and Thermodynamics Studies. Sustainability (2022).
- Adsorption of Phosphates onto Mg/Al-Oxide/Hydroxide/Sulfate-Impregnated Douglas Fir Biochar. Processes (2022).
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