Immobilization of Layered Double Hydroxide into Polyvinyl Alcohol/Alginate Hydrogel Beads for Phosphate Removal

Polyvinyl alcohol/alginate hydrogel beads containing Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH-PVA/alginate beads) were synthesized for phosphate removal. Results showed that blending PVA with the LDH-alginate beads significantly improved their stability in a phosphate solution. The kinetic reaction in LDH-PVA/alginate beads reached equilibrium at 12 hr-post reaction with 99.2% removal. The amount of phosphate removed at equilibrium ($q_e$) was determined to be 0.389 mgP/g. The equilibrium data were described well by the Freundlich isotherm with the distribution coefficient ($K_F$, 0.638) and the constant (n, 0.396). Phosphate removal in LDH-PVA/alginate beads was not sensitive to solution pH. Also, the removal capacity of LDH-PVA/alginate beads ($q_e$, 1.543 mgP/g) was two orders of magnitude greater than that of PVA/alginate beads ($q_e$, 0.016 mgP/g) in column experiments. This study demonstrates that LDH-PVA/alginate beads with a higher chemical stability against phosphate compared to LDH-alginate beads have the potential for phosphate removal as adsorptive media.