Efficient Vanadate Removal by Mg-Fe-Ti Layered Double Hydroxide

A series of novel layered double hydroxides (Mg-Fe-Ti-LDHs) containing Mg2+, Fe3+ and Ti4+ were prepared. The adsorption performance of Mg-Fe-Ti-LDHs on vanadate in aqueous solution was investigated and the effects of various factors on the adsorption process were examined, including initial vanadate concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, solution pH and coexisting ions. A preliminary discussion of the adsorption mechanism of vanadate was also presented. Results show that the adsorption efficiency of vanadate increased with the introduction of Ti4+ into the laminate of LDHs materials. The adsorption capacity of the materials also differed for different anion intercalated layers, and the Mg-Fe-Ti-LDHs with Cl- intercalation showed higher vanadate removal compared to the CO32- intercalated layer. Furthermore, Mg-Fe-Ti-CLDH showed higher vanadate removal compared to pre-calcination. The adsorption experimental data of vanadate on Mg-Fe-Ti-LDHs were consistent with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and the adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The pH of the solution significantly affected the vanadate removal efficiency. Meanwhile, coexisting ions PO43-, SO42- and NO3- exerted a significant influence on vanadate adsorption, the magnitude of the influence was related to the valence state of the coexisting anions. The possible adsorption mechanisms can be attributed to ion exchange and layered ligand exchange processes. The good adsorption capacity of Mg-Fe-Ti-LDHs on vanadate broadens the application area of functional materials of LDHs.