Hydrothermal encapsulation of lanthanum oxide derived Aegle marmelos admixed chitosan bead system for nitrate and phosphate retention.

The potential of hydrothermal technology was utilized for the preparation of promising adsorbents in order to overcome the troubles of methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) and eutrophication which is caused by excess nitrate (NO) and phosphate (PO) ions in water. Hence, in the present investigation, the chitosan (CS) encapsulated lanthanum oxide (LaO) admixed Aegle marmelos(AM) (LaOAM@CS) composite beads was prepared by both in situ precipitation (In situ) and hydrothermal (Hydro) methods for NO and PO adsorption. The hydro supported LaOAM@CS composite beads hold an enhanced nitrate and phosphate sorption capacity (SC) of 27.84 and 34.91 mg/g than the other adsorbents prepared by in situ method. The characterization studies of the adsorbents such as FTIR, XRD, SEM and BET analysis were explored in detail. In batch scale, the adsorption affecting parameters such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial adsorbate strength, competing anions and temperature was optimized. The fitted experimental data of various isotherms and thermodynamic parameters supports the feasible nature of NO and PO adsorption system. The field trial investigations and reuse of LaOAM@CS composite beads were also executed.