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Enhanced phosphate removal from water using iron-nanoparticle impregnated ion exchange resin (FerrIX A33E): batch and column studies
Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, Volume: 11, Issue: 5, Start page: 184
Swansea University Authors:
Sedar Dogan, Chedly Tizaoui
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DOI (Published version): 10.1007/s41207-026-01149-1
Abstract
The release of phosphate into water bodies promotes eutrophication and disrupts water treatment processes, highlighting the need for efficient phosphate removal technologies in water systems. This study examines the performance of FerrIX A33E, an iron nanoparticle-impregnated strong-base anion excha...
| Published in: | Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration |
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| ISSN: | 2365-6433 2365-7448 |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
2026
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71840 |
| Abstract: |
The release of phosphate into water bodies promotes eutrophication and disrupts water treatment processes, highlighting the need for efficient phosphate removal technologies in water systems. This study examines the performance of FerrIX A33E, an iron nanoparticle-impregnated strong-base anion exchange resin, for phosphate removal in water using batch and fixed-bed column ion exchange experiments. The Freundlich equation fitted the isotherm data well (R2>0.999), with the coefficients Kf = 3.621 (mg P)0.7805L0.2195g-1 and 1/n = 0.2195. Batch kinetic data were analysed using first-order reversible, Elovich, and particle diffusion models at varying mixing speeds, with the first-order reversible and Elovich models providing the best description of the experimental results. A dual mechanism for phosphate removal with FerrIX A33E involving ion exchange and sorption/complexation with iron oxides was suggested. To understand the effects of key operational parameters on column breakthrough curves (bed height, inlet concentration, and flowrate), conventional models including Bohart-Adams, Thomas and Clark models in conjunction with newly developed models B-A n order and fractal models were used to describe the experimental data. The B-A n order and fractal models were found most suitable due to the asymmetric nature of the breakthrough curves. The resin was successfully regenerated using 5% sodium chloride solution and repeated ion exchange/regeneration cycles did not significantly affect the average resin capacity. This study provides data useful for process design and demonstrates that nanoparticle iron impregnated ion exchange resin could offer a sustainable method to address the phosphate challenge in the aquatic environment. |
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| Keywords: |
Phosphates; Phosphorus; Ion exchange; Freundlich; Fractal model; FerrIX A33E |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
The authors acknowledge the Materials and Manufacturing Academy (M2A) funding from the European Social Fund via the Welsh Government (c80816), Swansea University, and Tata Steel. |
| Issue: |
5 |
| Start Page: |
184 |