Efficient adsorption, removal and recovery of phosphate and nitrate from water by a novel lanthanum(iii)-Dowex M4195 polymeric ligand exchanger

Abstract

A new polymeric ligand exchanger (PLE) has been designed to remove phosphate and nitrate from water under various conditions. This PLE was prepared by passing a LaCl₃ solution through a column of Dowex M4195 cation-exchange resin. Uptake of phosphate and nitrate from water by this La(III)-Dowex resin was investigated in the column mode. The La(III)-Dowex resin was able to remove phosphate and nitrate efficiently from water down to <0.1 ppm with little interference from other anions such as chloride and sulphate. The column could be readily regenerated by eluting with 0.1 M hydrochloric acid.