Natural phosphate and its derivative porous hydroxyapatite for the removal of toxic organic chemicals

Abstract

Phosphate rock and its derivative porous hydroxyapatite were evaluated for the removal of toxic organic chemicals from aqueous solutions. The first sorbent was natural phosphate (NP) from Bengurir deposit (Morocco), with small specific surface area (20 m²/g), while the second compound had a higher specific surface area (150 m²/g) prepared from NP by dissolution and precipitation method. Kinetics sorption study of methylene blue and patent blue compared to phenol and pyridine shows that the equilibrium is quickly obtained for both adsorbents. Sorption results show strong interactions arising between the toxic organic molecules with both natural and synthetic apatite surfaces. This will encourage the using natural phosphate and its derivative as low-cost adsorbents for water treatment.

Keywords:

• Phosphate rock
• Converted hydroxyapatite
• Surface characterization
• Organic pollutant removal