Synthesis And Characterization Of Struvite By Aqueous Precipitation Using Wastewater And Hot Spring Water

Abstract

Struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) is a phosphate mineral that has recently become a prudent venture for many researchers due to its nutritional value to plants in the field of agriculture. The cost of production of this mineral heavily relies on the cost of the magnesium source used. In this study, hot spring water was investigated as a potentially cheaper natural source of magnesium ions while sewage wastewater was used as a source of phosphate and ammonium ions for the struvite synthesis. The synthesized struvite composite was then characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The precipitate purity and phosphorous recovery were analysed. XRF results showed that synthesized struvite majorly consisted of magnesium oxide and phosphorous oxide. XRD analysis showed the presence of orthorhombic crystalline phases between 4-9 degrees (2𝜃) with struvite peaks at 2𝜃 values 15.8, 20.9and 46.3 which matched struvite ICDD card information. SEM revealed irregular, crystalline, and rod-like morphological structures that were consistent with those identified in the literature. The synthesized composite contained a percentage purity of 68.61% and phosphorous recovery of 76.15%. The presence of phosphorous and nitrogen in the struvite which is plant macronutrients makes the composite potential fertilizer for agricultural applications.