Synthesis and properties of alumina-hydroxyapatite composites from natural phosphate for phenol removal from water

Publication date: July 2019Source: Colloid and Interface Science Communications, Volume 31Author(s): K. Bouiahya, I. Es-saidi, C. El Bekkali, A. Laghzizil, D. Robert, J.M. Nunzi, A. SaoiabiAbstractPhenol is very abundant in the aquatic environment and therefore requires an effective treatment using porous and low-cost adsorbents. Alumina-hydroxyapatite composites were prepared from natural phosphate ore in the presence of Al3+ ions via a wet-chemical method. Porous composites were characterized and the Al-surface modification was produced by facile and inexpensive route to uptake adjacent toxic species. Supplementary active sites on their surface may improve their phenol remediation. Nanocomposites exhibit higher phenol sorption rates than pure hydroxyapatite. It is concluded that the specific surface area, surface charge and Al content are suitable for phenol removal from aqueous solution using Alumina-hydroxyapatite composites. The results show that the retention power of these composites depends on a complex interaction between intermolecular and molecule-solid interactions. These findings are relevant to better understand the contribution of alumina content in Alumina-hydroxyapatite composites to the fate and uptake of phenol from aquatic environments.Graphical abstract
Source: Colloids and Interface Science Communications - Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research