Fe(3+)/Mn(2+) (Oxy)Hydroxide Nanoparticles Loaded onto Muscovite/Zeolite Composites (Powder, Pellets and Monoliths): Phosphate Carriers from Urban Wastewater to Soil

The development of an efficient adsorbent is required in tertiary wastewater treatment stages to reduce the phosphate–phosphorous content within regulatory levels (1 mg L(−1) total phosphorous). In this study, a natural muscovite was used for the preparation of muscovite/zeolite composites and the incorporation of Fe(3+)/Mn(2+) (oxy)hydroxide nanoparticles for the recovery of phosphate from synthetic wastewater. The raw muscovite MC and the obtained muscovite/sodalite composite LMC were used in the powder form for the phosphate adsorption in batch mode. A muscovite/analcime composite was obtained in the pellets PLMCT(3) and monolith SLMCT(2) forms for the evaluation in fixed-bed mode for continuous operation. The effect of pH, equilibrium and kinetic parameters on phosphate adsorption and its further reuse in sorption–desorption cycles were determined. The characterization of the adsorbents determined the Fe(3+) and Mn(2+) incorporation into the muscovite/zeolite composite’s structure followed the occupancy of the extra-framework octahedral and in the framework tetrahedral sites, precipitation and inner sphere complexation. The adsorbents used in this study (MC, LMC, PLMCT(3) and SLMCT(2)) were effective for the phosphate recovery without pH adjustment requirements for real treated wastewater. Physical (e.g., electrostatic attraction) and chemical (complexation reactions) adsorption occurred between the protonated Fe(3+)/Mn(2+) (oxy)hydroxy groups and phosphate anions. Higher ratios of adsorption capacities were obtained by powder materials (MC and LMC) than the pellets and monoliths forms (PLMCT(3) and SLMCT(2)). The equilibrium adsorption of phosphate was reached within 30 min for powder forms (MC and LMC) and 150 min for pellets and monoliths forms (PLMCT(3) and SLMCT(2)); because the phosphate adsorption was governed by the diffusion through the internal pores. The adsorbents used in this study can be applied for phosphate recovery from wastewater treatment plants in batch or fixed-bed mode with limited reusability. However, they have the edge of environmentally friendly final disposal being promissory materials for soil amendment applications.