Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID ND-2024-Bezbaruah-1

Metal/Metal oxide-modified bio-based adsorbent for phosphate removal and recovery

Institute: North Dakota
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $12,360 Total Non-Federal Funds: $13,044

Principal Investigators: Achintya Bezbaruah

Project Summary: Efficient and cost-effective elimination of phosphates from aqueous solutions stands as a pivotal global concern. The proposed research will explore the viability of reclaiming phosphorus from agricultural runoff through adsorption using an adsorbent created from agricultural byproducts. The main objective will be met through a series of studies which is to synthesize, characterize, and study the adsorption properties of nanocellulose derived from agricultural waste such as wheat straw that has been thermally activated and modified with iron. Iron is preferred because of its robust affinity for phosphate, exceptional selectivity, expansive surface area, and chemical stability. Iron-modified nanocellulose could serve as a barrier on land or as filters to intercept phosphorus from reaching nearby water bodies. Subsequently, it could be utilized as a slow-release fertilizer when applied to the soil. This versatile feature of the adsorbent is deemed a significant contribution of this proposed study to the realm of phosphorus recovery.