Synthesis of rectorite/Fe3O4-CTAB composite for the removal of nitrate and phosphate from water

The rectorite/Fe3O4-CTAB composite (REC/Fe3O4-CTAB) was fabricated by introducing cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and Fe3O4 onto the layers of raw rectorite (REC). The layers of rectorite were intercalated or exfoliated, and CTAB enhanced the electrostatic attraction by quaternary ammonium cations towards nitrate and phosphate anions. The order of Fe3O4 and CTAB introduction had great effect on the adsorption. When Fe3O4 was loaded before CTAB on REC, the obtained composites exhibited better adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacities could reach 182.1 mg/g for NO3- and 174.5 mg/g for PO43-. Besides, REC/Fe3O4-CTAB composite could be easily regenerated with NaOH solution. (C) 2016 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.